Delhi Police said the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has not yet sought permission for its proposed September 5 protest march from India Gate to Delhi Police headquarters. The 2.5-km march is expected to involve families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, alleged victims of police brutality, students and youth organisations. Police said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is already in force in the New Delhi district and that protests and marches are permitted only at designated locations such as Jantar Mantar with prior approval. Officers cited security and traffic concerns and said they would push organisers to shift the venue. The CJP said it would inform police about the protest in the coming days. (PC: PTI)

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)

Hyderabad student Sai Pradeep, fondly known as Deepu, died by suicide in the US on August 21, allegedly amid stress over his prolonged job search. A native of Dammaiguda, Pradeep moved to the US in 2024 to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His family and friends said he had struggled to find employment for around four months and was under considerable stress. His cousin Deepthi remembered him as loving, kind-hearted and determined. A GoFundMe campaign is seeking $35,000 to bring his remains back to India and cover funeral expenses, with remaining funds intended for his parents. By Tuesday morning, 821 donors had contributed $28,602. (PC: gofundme.com)

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 National Security Guard (NSG) has launched its first Mahila Commando Conversion Course at Manesar in Haryana’s Gurugram, training women personnel from State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces for specialised counter-terror operations. The intensive 12-week programme covers physical conditioning, weapons proficiency, marksmanship, tactical intervention, hostage rescue and other specialised skills. NSG said the initiative aims to create a larger pool of operationally capable women, establish common professional benchmarks and strengthen interoperability across India’s security establishment. After completing the course, the women will return to their parent forces as force multipliers, carrying enhanced combat skills and operational expertise. The NSG described the initiative as a milestone in women’s empowerment and national security preparedness.

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)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has opposed an upcoming event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden on August 29. Mamdani described the RSS’s ideological vision as “incredibly troubling” and said he opposed what he characterised as an exclusionary approach, while emphasising his belief in pluralism and secularism. However, he acknowledged that the city may not have jurisdiction to cancel a private event. Bhagwat’s appearance is part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme and is expected to draw around 5,000 people. Interfaith and civil-rights groups, including Hindus for Human Rights and the Indian American Muslim Council, have protested against the event and called for its cancellation.

The United States has sanctioned four India-based companies and three Indian nationals over alleged trade involving Iranian oil and petrochemicals worth about $119 million. The sanctions form part of Washington’s wider campaign to restrict Iran’s international financial and energy networks. According to the US Treasury, Sadashiva Overseas imported around $69 million of Iranian-origin petroleum products between February 2024 and June 2025. PP Softtech and Prakrutees Infra Impex were each accused of importing around $25 million worth. The action comes amid heightened US pressure on countries and businesses maintaining commercial links with Tehran. The sanctions could increase scrutiny of India-based companies involved in Iran-related energy trade and add another layer to India-US economic and diplomatic calculations. (PC: X)

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)