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)

Dolly Parton, the legendary American singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, died peacefully in Nashville on August 25, 2026, aged 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Her death was confirmed by her family and representatives. Parton rose from a humble Tennessee background to become one of country music’s most influential figures, known worldwide for hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her career spanned music, film, business and philanthropy. She also founded the Imagination Library, which promotes childhood literacy. Parton leaves behind a lasting cultural legacy and millions of admirers worldwide. (PC: AP)

Six people, including five women, were killed and at least 12 others injured after a private travel bus collided with a moving truck in Telangana’s Suryapet district early Wednesday. The bus, carrying around 42 passengers, was travelling from Hyderabad towards Eluru and Vijayawada when it rammed into the truck around 4:30–5:20 a.m. near Durgapuram stage. The impact severely damaged the front of the bus, killing six passengers at the scene. Three injured passengers were reportedly in critical condition and shifted to Vijayawada for advanced treatment. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. 

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)

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.