🛑 Trump admin pauses global visa appointments amid crackdown

The U.S. administration has paused visa appointments worldwide as part of an ongoing immigration crackdown. A State Department spokesperson confirmed this on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, citing a global training initiative at all U.S. embassies and consulates. This aggressive drive includes visa revocations and application rejections based on various reasons. Previously, a judge struck down a policy suspending visas for 75 countries on August 21. The administration says the changes aim to improve domestic security and evaluate applicants comprehensively. 😟

🏏 Mushtaq leads North Zone to semi-finals 🏏

Abid Mushtaq spearheaded North Zone to victory, securing their spot in the semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy. This happened at the BCCI's Centre of Excellences in Bengaluru, where North Zone played against West Zone. The match concluded on August 26, 2026, with North Zone winning by 52 runs. Mushtaq's nine-wicket haul proved crucial after a competitive match against Gaikwad's West Zone side. Next, North Zone faces the Tilak Varma-led South Zone in the first semi-final on August 30.

🎬 Netflix pushes back on 'stolen' Gandhari script claim

Netflix's Ruchikaa Kapoor dismissed the claim that the Gandhari script was stolen by a writer. She stated that the pitch submitted was significantly different from the actual film, which stars Taapsee Pannu and is directed by Devashish Makhija. Kalyan Bandi alleged he wrote the story in 2019 and sought ₹40 lakh compensation in September 2025. Kanika Dhillon, the writer, has also unequivocally denied these allegations, calling the claims false. The film, set in Joypurra, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 3.

📈 Purple Style Labs IPO details drop

Purple Style Labs is setting its price band for its upcoming Initial Public Offering. The company is based in India and will be opening its IPO in Mumbai. The IPO size is ₹680 crore, with a price band set between ₹546 and ₹575 per share. This listing aims to allow investors to participate in the company's growth. The IPO is scheduled to commence on August 31st. 📈

🚨 Six militants arrested for extortion in Manipur

Six militants, including one minor, have been arrested for alleged extortion, intimidation, and kidnapping in Manipur's Imphal Valley districts. The cadres of the banned United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) were caught on Tuesday, August 25th, across Bishnupur, Imphal East, and West districts. Authorities seized 23 UPPK letterheads, and P. Koireng Singh, a 51-year-old State Forest Department employee, was among those apprehended. Furthermore, security forces found arms and ammunition during an operation in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. The joint police and CRPF team also managed to destroy two bunkers in Taphou Kuki and one in Taphou Liangmai. 🚨

🎬 The Odyssey kicked out of IMAX, despite huge earnings

The Odyssey was abruptly removed from all IMAX shows after 40 days, despite a historic collection of Rs. 90 cr from 34 IMAX screens. This happened because the new film, Toxic starring Yash, is also an IMAX release and demanded all available slots. On August 25, the film saw a 43% occupancy on its last IMAX day. Although it was pushed out, one screen in Coimbatore remains an exception starting August 26. This sudden exit risks breaking the movie's momentum for future earnings.

🚀 Skyways Air IPO books 5x on Day 3, strong premium expected

Skyways Air Services' Initial Public Offering (IPO) has seen massive interest, booking 5 times its issue size by Day 3. The company, based in the market, attracted significant investor attention during this period. The current Grey Market Premium (GMP) indicates a strong potential listing premium for the shares. This robust demand reflects positive market sentiment towards the aviation sector. Investors are eagerly awaiting the final listing date to capitalize on this momentum.

🎤 Dolly Parton's iconic Cowboys Thanksgiving moment 🏈

Dolly Parton delivered a memorable halftime show at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving Day 2023. She performed in a Cowboys cheerleader outfit for over 90,000 fans while at 77 years old. The six-minute set included hits like "Jolene," "9 to 5," and Queen tracks. A planned platform malfunction did not stop her from delivering the performance smoothly. This moment showcased her fearless spirit, which defined her connection to sports and music.

🌡️ India tracks flu trends nationwide

The government is actively monitoring the current seasonal respiratory illness trends across the country via a strong pan-India surveillance network. Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research, stated this during a media address in New Delhi. The circulating influenza viruses match the seasonal patterns seen in recent years, showing no signs of a new threat as of now. While usually mild, vulnerable groups like the elderly and children face higher risks of complications. The public is advised to stay informed and vigilant, seeking medical advice if symptoms like fever appear. 🌡️

📈 Hindustan Copper shares jump as retail bidding starts

Hindustan Copper shares saw a notable gain of up to 3.59% to reach ₹551.80 on the NSE on Wednesday, August 26. The stock movement occurred as retail bidding for the government's Offer for Sale (OFS) began today. Institutional investors had previously oversubscribed the share sale by 3.41 times, bidding over ₹4,600 crore. This is part of a two-day OFS where the government is selling over 5.80 crore shares at a floor price of ₹514. Meanwhile, surging copper prices to record highs are also keeping the stock in the spotlight. 📈

👨‍⚕️ Fitbit founders drop $250 family safety wearable

Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman have released a new wearable called Luffu Link. This screenless band is designed for family care and tracking loved ones. It costs $249.99 and tracks health metrics, location, and allows voice notes. The device offers LTE connectivity to contact trusted people without a phone nearby. The Luffu app is in public beta and set for broader US availability later this year. 👨‍⚕️