Srinagar, Aug 19: Stating that relocation of stray dogs would not be a solution and that it was just an illusion, director Ram Gopal Varma has said that if dog lovers cared so much for stray dogs, they must open their guest rooms for the animals.

Taking to his X timeline to pen a lengthy post in response to the demand of dog lovers that the animals be relocated, director Ram Gopal Varma wrote, “Everyone keeps chanting ‘relocate the dogs, relocate the dogs’ as if it’s some magic wand. But relocation is nothing but a polite word for dumping the problem from one street to another.”

“Relocation is not a solution—it’s an illusion. It’s the excuse of the ignorants to avoid hard choices,” the director wrote on a topic that has become a serious bone of contention between animal lovers and those worried about the safety of civilians.

The director further went on to add, “And here’s the hypocrisy — dog lovers lecture from their air-conditioned homes with their imported breeds sitting on satin cushions, while the poor face the real menace on the streets. If they care so much, let them open their guest rooms for the strays.”

Ram Gopal Varma concluded the post saying, “Don’t preach relocation to the government while keeping your posh spaces stray dog free and your cute children dog bite free.”

The director has been vocal on this issue ever since it erupted.

Prior to this post, the director had, in one of his earlier tweets, written, “With regard to the great poem we have all been taught at school ‘All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.’ didn’t take into accounts of cockroaches who contaminate, rats who spread plague, snakes which inject poison, mosquitoes which create diseases and stray dogs who kill children(sic).”

Srinagar, Aug 19: According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), global progress toward secure, equitable, and sustainable energy systems has accelerated notably in 2025, reversing years of sluggish momentum. This year, 65% of countries improved their Energy Transition Index (ETI) scores, with 28% advancing across all three core pillars: energy security, environmental sustainability, and energy equity. However, India slipped from 63rd to 71st position out of 118 countries.

This year, 65% of countries improved their scores on the Energy Transition Index (ETI), with 28% showing advancements across all three key dimensions: energy security, environmental sustainability, and energy equity. India’s shift from 63rd to 71st reflects both progress and growing pains. While the country has accelerated efforts in clean energy adoption and investment, structural gaps—especially in infrastructure and readiness—are holding back broader momentum. To boost its ranking, it can improvement in grid reliability, rural energy access, and reduced reliance on imported energy could boost energy security and equity.

Advanced economies continue to dominate the rankings, holding 16 of the top 20 positions.

Investment in infrastructure and renewable sources could also speed up this transition. Major emerging and advanced economies like China, the U.S., and the EU are playing pivotal roles in shaping the pace of global energy transition. India’s advancements are encouraging but need targeted investments and policy support to regain and strengthen its position.

New Delhi, Aug 19: Former Supreme Court judge B Sudhershan Reddy is the joint candidate of the Opposition parties for the Vice-Presidential polls, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Tuesday.

Reddy is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and the first Lokayukta of Goa.

“All INDIA bloc parties has decided to have a common candidate, the decision has been taken unanimously. I am happy that all opposition parties have agreed to one name. It is a big achievement for democracy,” Kharge said.

New Delhi, Aug 19: Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till the post-lunch session within minutes of assembly on Tuesday, as Opposition MPs persisted in demanding a discussion on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Soon after listed official papers were laid on the table of the House, slogan shouting Opposition MPs moved into aisles and well of the House raising the issue of SIR, leading to proceedings being adjourned till 2 pm.

The House will reconvene after the lunch break.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected 20 notices that invoked Rule 267, which allows suspension of listed business to discuss matters being raised in them.

Without indicating the subject, he said the notices were received on four different subjects, but none of them adhered to the prescribed rules and so were not admitted.

He called for taking up the listed Zero Hour, where MPs raise issues of urgent public importance, but sloganeering drowned his attempts.

He also objected to some MPs wearing badges.

With the opposition MPs continuing to shout slogans, disrupting proceedings, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till 2 pm.

New Delhi, Aug 19: In a sign of further thawing of economic ties, China has assured India to address its major trade concerns, especially around the import of rare earths and fertilisers.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar that Beijing is addressing India’s three key concerns — rare earths, fertilisers and tunnel boring machines, according to government sources.

China has imposed restrictions on the exports of rare earth magnets in retaliation against the US tariff hikes and is using the commodity as a bargaining chip in the trade war. This has also had an impact on other countries that are dependent on Chinese imports.

Rare earth magnets are used in a variety of high-tech applications, ranging from electronic goods and electric vehicles to large-scale industrial equipment.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a two-day official visit during which he will hold a fresh round of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary question with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

China’s Foreign Ministry asserted that Wang Yi’s India visit will help in both countries working together to implement the consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

During his opening remarks, EAM Jaishankar said as neighbouring nations and major economies in the world, there are various facets and dimensions of the India-China ties.

“It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided”, he added.

“When the world’s two largest nations meet, it is natural that the international situation will be discussed. We seek a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, including a multi-polar Asia. Reformed multilateralism is also the call of the day. In the current environment, there is clearly the imperative of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy as well. The fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority. I look forward to our exchange of views,” EAM Jaishankar noted.

The meetings could see both sides deliberate on a range of key issues, including the border situation, trade and resumption of flight services.