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)

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has reportedly made a secret trip to Moscow as the United States pushes for a possible end to the war in Ukraine. According to reports, Ratcliffe held talks with Russian officials amid renewed diplomatic efforts by Washington.   The visit comes as the US has reportedly asked Ukraine to stop certain long-range strikes on Russian territory to support peace negotiations. The move has raised concerns in Kyiv, where officials fear limits on military operations could benefit Russia.   The reported Moscow visit highlights the Trump administration's efforts to open direct channels with Russia while seeking a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine war.  

US President Donald Trump said the American Navy had informed him that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated. He warned Iran that any ship or boat found placing new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed”. Trump said the US was closely monitoring the strategic waterway and Iranian nuclear sites, stressing that Washington had a zero-tolerance policy on mine placement. The warning came as the US increased economic pressure on Tehran through new sanctions, including expanded secondary sanctions targeting countries, companies and other entities doing business with Iran. (PC: HT)

The controversy over Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement has triggered a wider debate online. While the actor defended her outfit and said culture and traditions should not be judged by a woman’s clothing, actor Abhijeet Dipke weighed in with a sharp comment. He said that while India debates clothes and such controversies, China is moving ahead by building robots. Dipke’s remark shifted the discussion towards India’s focus on innovation and technological progress. The ad had drawn criticism over Sanon’s outfit and a scene showing her tying a rakhi to a pet dog, while others defended the campaign’s modern interpretation of tradition. (PC: NDTV)

The US Secret Service has confirmed it is aware of an Iranian state media video that appears to threaten Barron Trump, the youngest son of President Donald Trump. The nearly three-minute video reportedly showed places where Barron is known to spend time, including Trump Tower in New York. It also mentioned a $10 million reward. Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring said the agency investigates anything that could be a threat to its protectees. The video was broadcast by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB. The development comes amid rising tensions between the US and Iran and repeated threats against Trump and his family.