 "FirstUp: Supreme Court to give verdict on stray dogs and other top news today")
It is set to be a busy Friday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, PM Modi will travel to Bihar and West Bengal today to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects. Meanwhile, verdict of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to take place in Bangkok today on charges of insulting the monarchy.
Pope Leo calls for a global day of fasting and prayer for peace today. The 2025-26 German Bundesliga season is also scheduled to kick off.
Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.
Supreme Court verdict on pleas against relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR
The Supreme Court will pronounce its order on petitions challenging the August 11 ruling that stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be moved to shelter homes. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria heard the matter after it was transferred to them on August 13.
In its August 11 judgment, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to pick up stray dogs from all localities and relocate them to dog shelters in the national capital. It led to widespread protests.
The matter was transferred to the three-judge special bench, which reserved its decision on whether the implementation of the August 11 directions should be stayed.
PM Modi in Bihar and Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar and West Bengal today to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 18,200 crore, aimed at boosting connectivity, infrastructure, power, health, and urban facilities in the two states.
In Bihar, the Prime Minister will participate in a public function at Gaya at 11 am, where he will launch projects worth nearly Rs 13,000 crore, flag off two trains, and address the gathering. Among the key highlights of the Bihar visit will be the inauguration of the 8.15-km long Aunta–Simaria bridge project on NH-31, including a 1.86-km six-lane bridge on the Ganga built at a cost of over Rs 1,870 crore.
Later in the day, he will travel to West Bengal, where he will inaugurate metro projects in Kolkata and unveil development initiatives worth over Rs 5,200 crore.
Verdict of former PM Thaksin’s charges of insulting the monarchy
Thai Criminal Court is set to deliver its verdict in the high-profile lese-majeste case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was arrested for insulting the monarchy during a speech.
The charges, which fall under Thailand’s strict Section 112 of the Criminal Code, stem from an interview Thaksin gave to a South Korean newspaper in May 2015. He is accused of making remarks that were deemed to have insulted the monarchy. This is a very serious offense in Thailand, with a conviction carrying a potential jail term of up to 15 years.
If he is found guilty, he could face a return to prison, though his legal team would likely appeal the decision.
Pope Leo calls for day of fasting and prayer
Pope Leo XIV has called for a global day of prayer and fasting for peace today. The pontiff made the announcement during his weekly general audience at the Vatican, urging Catholics and people of all faiths to unite in a spiritual act of solidarity.
The specific date was chosen to coincide with the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, a day in the Catholic liturgical calendar dedicated to honouring Mary as the Queen of Peace. The Pope highlighted the ongoing conflicts around the world, specifically mentioning the wars in the Holy Land, Ukraine, and other regions, as the primary reasons for his appeal.
He stated, “As our world continues to be wounded by wars, I ask all the faithful to live the day of August 22 in fasting and prayer, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice."
German football season 2025-26 to begin
The 2025-26 German Bundesliga season is scheduled to begin from today. The official calendar for the upcoming season was confirmed by the DFL German Football League, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly anticipated campaign.
The opening match of the season will feature the defending champions, FC Bayern Munich, who are set to face off against RB Leipzig in a clash at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The season will run until May 16, 2026, covering 34 matchdays of top-tier football. This year’s opening match is especially enticing, as it features Bayern, who secured yet another league title last season, against Leipzig, a club that has consistently challenged the dominance of Germany’s established giants in recent years.
With inputs from agencies
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