🛂 Senators Flag US Visa Delays for Indian Students

Thirty US senators have raised concerns over significant delays in student visa appointments for international students. The senators, including Alex Padilla, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding F, M, and J visas. These delays could prevent students and exchange visitors from arriving in time for the fall academic year. The senators asked the State Department to explain appointment allocation and priority ranking for these visa types. They also requested data on staffing levels and average processing times for the five major visa posts. 😟

🎬 Director set boundaries on abusive scenes in Dhurandhar 2

Suvinder Vicky discussed how director Aditya Dhar managed intense scenes in 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge'. The actor revealed that Dhar strictly enforced boundaries regarding abusive language during the shoot. Specifically, Dhar told Vicky that they would not use slurs targeting mothers or sisters. This guidance came as the film, released on March 19, 2026, was a massive hit. The sequel became an all-time blockbuster, grossing over Rs 1,850 crore in India.

⛽ Oil prices dip amid demand fears and Middle East tension

Oil prices fell by over $1 on Thursday due to a weaker global demand outlook impacting the market. This drop occurred while supply worries persist from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. OPEC had previously cut its 2026 demand forecast to 580,000 bpd in its recent report. Furthermore, US crude inventories rose significantly last week to 424.4 million barrels. Peace talks between Iran and the US show no progress, keeping supply risks high. ⛽

🕵️ Reacher Season 4: Darker Mystery, Solid Performance

Reacher Season 4 has dropped, featuring a noticeably darker tone in the ongoing mystery. Alan Ritchson continues to deliver a solid performance in his latest role within the series. The season premiered on a specific date, though exact viewership numbers are not detailed in the review. This installment deepens the narrative complexity, pushing the stakes for the character. Fans can expect the mystery to unfold further in upcoming episodes.

🎤 KATSEYE drops 'Animal' on Tonight Show

The girl group KATSEYE made a late-night TV performance debut on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The quartet performed their single "Animal," which is co-written by Ed Sheeran and charted in the Billboard Global 200 top 10. The group is currently a quartet, as Manon and Sophia are on hiatus for their mental health. The remaining members expressed gratitude to their fans for continued support during this lineup change. They are set to unleash their new album "Wild" on Friday. 🚀

🩺 Google wearables will track insulin resistance

Google is launching new health features on its wearables, including a tracker for insulin resistance over time. This tool, introduced Wednesday, uses AI and sensors like heart rate and temperature to gauge energy production effort. The Google Health app will alert users to shifts, prompting potential lifestyle changes or doctor visits. Untreated, high resistance can lead to prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. These features will debut on the Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air at a later date.

😟 Colombia earthquake toll rises to 239 dead

The earthquake in Colombia has tragically resulted in an increasing number of fatalities. Authorities in the affected regions are working hard to manage the crisis. As of the latest reports, 239 people have been confirmed dead, while hundreds more are still unaccounted for. The seismic activity has caused widespread devastation across the area. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate and assist the missing persons. 😟

🚨 Gates' daughter's startup faces fraud allegations

The shopping app Phia is under scrutiny for 'cookie stuffing,' a practice where it claimed commissions on sales it didn't drive. This startup, co-founded by Phoebe Gates in partnership with Sophia Kianni, operates as a discount code browser extension. Reports indicate founders knew about the issue for at least seven months, dating back to December. This alleged wire fraud could lead to a maximum penalty of 20 years in US federal prison. Phia has since removed the feature and is reviewing transactions, while Impact.com has suspended its partnership. 😥

🛰️ New vest could shield astronauts from solar storms

A US-Israeli startup has developed a vest designed to reduce astronaut exposure during solar storms. The technology was studied by researchers at the Times of Israel. The vest aims to protect against intense radiation bursts occurring during these space weather events. This innovation is crucial for long-duration space missions to Mars and beyond. Further testing will determine its effectiveness for deep space travel. 🛰️

📈 Stock market update: Parekh recommends three buys

The Indian stock market is expected to have a flat opening as the Gift Nifty hovers near yesterday's spot Nifty close. Vaishali Parekh of Prabhudas Lilladher believes this muted start will persist on Thursday. She specifically recommended buying Rain Industries, Indus Towers, and SBI for intraday trading. The Nifty 50 needs to sustain support at 24,350 while Bank Nifty needs to breach 58,600 for a positive trend. These recommendations include specific targets and stop losses for each stock. 📈

🐦 Tasmania confirms first H5N1 bird flu case

Tasmania has reported its first confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza on Thursday. The deadly strain was detected in a migratory brown skua found on the state's northwest coast. This marks Tasmania as the sixth and final Australian state to report the virus, initially found in Western Australia in June. Authorities are strengthening surveillance and preparedness in collaboration with experts. The federal government has acquired 1,500 vaccine vials, and Tasmania plans to vaccinate up to 350 endangered parrots.