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)

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)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has backed actor Kriti Sanon amid a row over her Raksha Bandhan advertisement, saying it was “her choice” what she wore. His remarks came a day after actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticised Sanon’s outfit in the advertisement. The campaign sparked debate online, with some users questioning Sanon’s clothing and a scene involving a rakhi. Sanon later responded to the criticism, defending her right to choose her outfit. Gandhi’s intervention added a political dimension to the controversy, as reactions continued to pour in over the advertisement and the wider debate around personal choice. (PC: India Today)