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)

Taylor Swift has revealed her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, following 24 hours of intense fan speculation. Hints began with 12 cryptic photos posted by her team, sparking online theories. The announcement came via boyfriend Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, alongside pre-orders on Swift’s official website. While the release date remains unconfirmed, orders will ship before 13 October. This follows a milestone year for Swift, who regained the rights to her first six albums and completed her record-breaking Eras tour, which generated £1bn for the UK economy. Swift remains the most awarded artist in MTV VMA history. (PC: BBC)

Ahead of his August 15 summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, US President Donald Trump declared he would know “within the first two minutes” whether a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war is possible. Calling it a “feel-out meeting,” Trump said he may walk out if no progress is made. He emphasized his desire for a ceasefire and hinted at future talks involving Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Trump linked Russia’s economic struggles to US-imposed tariffs and claimed European leaders are eager for resolution. He reiterated that the war wouldn’t have happened under his presidency, calling it “Joe Biden’s war,” and expressed readiness to broker a deal if Putin shows flexibility. (PC: CBS & AP News)

The Supreme Court has ordered the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, mandating sterilization and permanent sheltering. The directive sparked intense public debate, with Resident Welfare Associations supporting the move, while animal rights groups like PETA India condemned it as “unscientific” and “ineffective.” Celebrities including Suhel Seth and Vir Das urged compassion and adoption, while TMC MP Saket Gokhale called the order “cruel and inhumane.” The court warned of contempt action against anyone obstructing the drive. With over 10 lakh stray dogs in Delhi, critics argue shelters are inadequate and mass displacement could worsen animal suffering without solving rabies or bite incidents. (PC: News18 & The Indian Express)

Actor-turned-BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty issued a fiery response to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s war threats over the Indus Waters Treaty. Speaking in Kolkata, Mithun warned that if India’s patience snaps, “humari khopdi sanak gayi toh…” BrahMos missiles would be launched one after another. He sarcastically added that India could build a dam where 140 crore people would urinate, triggering a tsunami. His remarks came after Bilawal accused India of attacking Pakistan’s culture and civilization by diverting Indus waters, threatening war if the treaty is altered. India suspended the treaty in April following a terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned Pakistan’s nuclear rhetoric, reaffirming India’s resolve against nuclear blackmail and threats to national security. (PC: AFP, PTI & NDTV)

Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto warned India of possible war if it continues suspending the Indus Water Treaty, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Speaking in Sindh, the former foreign minister accused India of “aggressions” and urged Pakistanis to unite, vowing to reclaim “all six rivers.” His remarks came a day after army chief Asim Munir threatened nuclear war, warning Pakistan could “take half the world down” if threatened. Munir also vowed to destroy any dams built on Indus channels. India condemned the threats as “nuclear sabre-rattling,” affirming it will not yield to “nuclear blackmail.” (PC: NDTV)

During Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s second US visit in two months, President Donald Trump designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The timing of the announcement is seen as a diplomatic win for Munir, who has faced criticism for nuclear threats made on US soil. The BLA has claimed responsibility for multiple deadly attacks, including the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express. The move follows the US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, as a terror group. India expressed concern over Trump’s growing bonhomie with Munir, warning against nuclear blackmail and the erosion of regional stability. (PC: India Today & OpIndia)

President Donald Trump announced his administration is actively considering reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump said a decision could come within weeks, calling the issue “very complicated” due to mixed public opinion. Reclassification would not legalize marijuana federally but would ease criminal penalties, open doors for medical research, and allow cannabis businesses to claim tax deductions. The move continues efforts initiated under the Biden administration. Trump acknowledged both positive medical uses and concerns about youth exposure. Industry groups have reportedly donated millions to Trump’s political organizations, hoping to influence the decision amid projected $34 billion cannabis revenue this year.

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has sharply criticized Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, calling him “Osama bin Laden in a suit” after Munir allegedly threatened that if Pakistan “goes down, it will take half the world down.” The remarks were reportedly made during a meeting with US officials in Tampa, Florida. Rubin condemned Pakistan’s nuclear rhetoric as “completely unacceptable,” likening it to ISIS-style threats and urging the US to reconsider Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally. He proposed declaring Munir persona non grata, stripping US visas, and even deploying SEAL teams to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Rubin warned Pakistan is behaving like a rogue state, risking global security. (PC: Wikipedia)