More than 70,000 Indians could be among up to 2 lakh people facing the cancellation of US business and tourist visas in what could become the biggest mass visa revocation in American history. The proposed action targets B1/B2 visa holders issued visas between 2016 and 2026 who have sought or are seeking asylum in the US. American officials say some visitors entered legally before filing asylum claims to remain in the country. The move may affect pending asylum cases and could lead to people losing legal status, though it would not mean immediate deportation. (PC: The Print)

The Indian Air Force is fully prepared to launch relief and rescue operations in Nepal after devastating flash floods caused widespread damage, sources said. Aircraft and helicopters have been kept on standby to transport rescue teams, relief material and essential supplies if assistance is sought. The preparations come as Nepal deals with the impact of heavy rainfall and flash floods, which have disrupted normal life in affected areas. India is closely monitoring the situation and remains ready to support Nepal’s emergency response. Official details about the scale and timing of any Indian Air Force deployment are awaited. (PC: NDTV)

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow for undisclosed meetings with Russian officials, triggering speculation over the purpose of the trip. The visit comes amid the stalled Russia-Ukraine war and rising US pressure on Iran. Some analysts believe Ratcliffe may have carried a warning to Moscow over possible escalation against Ukraine or Nato, while others linked the mission to Washington’s efforts to reduce Russia’s support for Tehran. Speculation about a possible Russian nuclear strike has also surfaced, though there is no public evidence supporting the claim. Neither the CIA nor the Kremlin has disclosed details of the visit. (PC: India Today)

At least 105 Indians are missing after massive flash floods swept through Nepal’s Nuwakot and Dhading districts near the Tibet border on Wednesday. The sudden surge of water in the Bhote Koshi River, reportedly from the Tibetan side, washed away villages, homes and infrastructure. The death toll in the Nepal-China border region has risen to nine, while several others remain missing. Rescue operations are under way, though high water levels have made it difficult for helicopters to land in affected areas. Authorities have urged people living along riverbanks to move to safer locations. 

West Bengal’s SIR appellate tribunals have restored 75,443 names to the electoral roll, accounting for 91% of the 82,782 appeals disposed of so far, according to an Election Commission reply to an RTI query. Another 7,339 names were excluded. Congress MP Isha Khan Chowdhury raised concerns over the high number of appeals filed compared with voters marked “Not Eligible”, seeking clarification from the Election Commission. The data also shows that only a small fraction of the 38.1 lakh appeals filed have been disposed of, with several districts still awaiting decisions. (PC: The Indian Express)

At least 17 people were killed after a massive flash flood and mudslide swept through areas along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, washing away villages and damaging roads and infrastructure. The disaster struck Rasuwa district after excessive snowmelt reportedly flooded the Bhote Koshi river. Search and rescue operations are under way on both sides of the border, with 12 people rescued so far. Authorities said 13 armed police personnel were missing, while communication, power and road links were disrupted. Nepalese officials warned of huge losses as several downstream areas remained on high alert. (PC: BBC)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the ICC and BCCI to take stronger action against Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi over recent on-field confrontations.   Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando were fined 25% of their match fees and given one demerit point after their altercation during the second Test in Colombo. Manjrekar linked the incident to Sooryavanshi's earlier confrontation with Sri Lanka A players, warning that repeated misconduct without consequences could encourage such behaviour. Jaiswal, however, defended his actions, saying critics did not know what had been said before the confrontation. (PC: India Today)  

Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, her management team said. Tributes poured in from across the world, with Katy Perry remembering her as “glam, funny and kind”. Taylor Swift said, “A world without Dolly Parton doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” while Sir Paul McCartney called her a “bubbly” character whose singing and songwriting were unrivalled in country music. Fans left flowers and messages at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star, mourning an icon who wrote more than 3,000 songs and supported major charitable causes. (PC: BBC)

The United States has paused or rescheduled immigrant visa appointments at embassies and consulates worldwide as the Trump administration tightens immigration rules. The State Department said a global training programme for consular officers was launched, with appointments adjusted to accommodate the initiative. The training aims to help officers assess applicants more consistently, including whether they could become dependent on public benefits. Applicants with scheduled interviews have been informed that their appointments will be rescheduled, though no timeline has been announced. The move comes amid a wider immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration. (PC: The Hindu)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he does not support an upcoming RSS event at Madison Square Garden, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora on August 29. Mamdani, however, said he was unsure whether the city had the authority to cancel what he described as a private event. He said he opposed what he called an “exclusionary vision” of India and expressed support for a pluralistic and secular society. The event, part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme, is expected to draw around 5,000 people. (PC: X)