US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for one week following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton at 80. The presidential proclamation directs flags at federal buildings, military installations, naval vessels and US diplomatic facilities abroad to remain at half-staff until sunset on September 1, 2026. Trump described Parton’s death as a “true loss for millions” and praised her extraordinary contribution to music and culture. Parton, whose career spanned nearly seven decades, was celebrated for hits including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” as well as her philanthropy. (PC: X)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has opposed a planned August 29 event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden. Mamdani said he found the RSS’s vision of India “exclusionary” and contrasted it with his belief in a pluralistic and secular society. However, he acknowledged that the city may not have legal authority to cancel the privately organised gathering. Bhagwat is visiting the U.S. as part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme and is expected to address around 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora. Several interfaith and civil rights groups have also urged the venue to cancel the event. (PC: Reuters)

Erebus Anomaly, a Maine Coon kitten from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, has set a Guinness World Record after being confirmed to have 29 toes, the most ever recorded on a cat. His unusual number of digits is caused by polydactyly, a genetic condition that produces extra toes. Erebus surpassed the previous record of 28 toes, held by Canadian cat Jake since 2002 and recently matched by Michigan kitten Toby. The kitten also survived a serious bout of pneumonia after suffering an aspiration event shortly after birth. His owners described his recovery as miraculous. Guinness officially recognised Erebus’s record on May 13.

The U.S. military said on Tuesday that a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea killed four people. The U.S. Southern Command said intelligence showed the vessel was actively involved in narcotics trafficking and described those killed as “narco-terrorists.” The military did not identify the individuals or disclose the exact location of the strike. The attack is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against alleged drug-trafficking networks, which began in September 2025. More than 210 people have reportedly been killed in similar strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Human rights organisations and UN experts have questioned their legality. (PC: X)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told foreign officials that the United States does not plan to launch new strikes on Iran “for the time being,” according to Axios, citing a US official and another source familiar with the matter. Instead, Washington is focusing on economic pressure through a new sanctions initiative and a naval blockade that the US believes is squeezing Iran, while American forces move increasing amounts of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The shift may indicate that President Donald Trump wants the conflict to wind down. However, military action has not been ruled out entirely. Rubio reportedly left open the possibility of strikes if Iran attacks the US first. (PC: Times now)

The US has paused visa appointments for applicants worldwide as President Donald Trump intensifies his immigration crackdown during his second term, Reuters reported. The US State Department said it had launched a global training initiative at all US embassies and consulates, requiring visa service appointments to be adjusted to accommodate the programme. Applicants whose interviews were already scheduled were reportedly emailed that their appointments had been cancelled and told they would receive new dates and times. The move comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten immigration rules. The State Department did not provide further details on how long the appointment disruptions would last or when regular visa scheduling would resume. (PC: India Today)

New York City’s Empire State Building lights up in pink on Tuesday night to honour music legend Dolly Parton, who died at 80 in Nashville, her family announced. The tower sparkled from 9:25 p.m. to 10:25 p.m. as tributes pour in from political leaders, fans and the entertainment community. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Parton an “extraordinary person” and champion of the working class, while officials praised her philanthropy, childhood literacy advocacy and contributions to COVID-19 vaccine research. Her Broadway musical, “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” will continue with previews on December 7, as planned, and officially open January 19, her 81st birthday. President Donald Trump also ordered flags lowered nationwide for a week.

The Trump administration plans to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the US, the State Department said Monday. Officials are coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify people who entered as short-term visitors but later sought asylum to remain permanently. The Associated Press, citing State Department documents and two US officials, reported that up to 200,000 B1 and B2 business and tourism visas issued between 2016 and 2026 could be revoked. If carried out, the move would be the largest single mass visa revocation in US history. Revocation would not necessarily mean immediate deportation, while rights groups have raised due process concerns. (PC: X/@HQNewsNow)

China has warned the US against interfering with its economic ties with Iran, as Washington escalates pressure on countries continuing business with Tehran. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing “firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions” and would take measures to safeguard its rights and interests. He stressed that China-Iran cooperation should not be disrupted and urged Washington and Tehran to agree to a ceasefire, arguing that sanctions will not resolve the conflict. The Trump administration has threatened sweeping secondary sanctions under its campaign to isolate Iran economically. China is Iran’s largest trading partner and a major buyer of its oil, making Beijing particularly exposed to Washington’s sanctions strategy and raising the prospect of further US-China tensions. (PC: X/@MFA_China)

Fresh protests erupted at IIT Delhi following the death of a student by suicide, with students demanding accountability and stronger action from the institute. Protesters gathered on campus and raised concerns over student welfare, mental health support and the circumstances surrounding the death. They also called for a transparent investigation and better systems to address students’ grievances. The protests came amid growing anger among sections of the student community, with demonstrators accusing the administration of not doing enough to address their concerns. IIT Delhi authorities are yet to respond in detail to the latest demands raised by protesting students. (PC: The Indian Express)