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Mumbai Bursts Into Joy as 10-Day Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Begins
- Ganesh Chaturthi began on Aug 27 with morning prayers and aarti at prominent temples like Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak, marking the official start of vibrant citywide celebrations.
- Major draws include spectacular pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja, GSB Seva Mandal, and Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani, with millions queuing to get a glimpse of towering, adorned idols each day.
- Streets and neighborhoods resound with “Ganpati Bappa Morya” chants, colorful processions, rhythmic dhols, and devotional singing, with residents from all backgrounds taking part in the festivities
- Authorities have implemented heightened security, deploying over 17,000 police personnel and drones for crowd management and safety during large gatherings and processions.
- The celebration bridges communities, inspires eco-friendly traditions, and features special themes on women empowerment and environmental awareness, making it a festival of togetherness and hope.
BJP Condemns "Shameful Abuse" of PM Modi at Bihar Rally, Slams Congress for Disrespect
- The BJP claims that extremely abusive language was directed at PM Modi and his late mother during an opposition rally in Bihar, with Congress and RJD leaders sharing the stage.
- A video from the Darbhanga rally went viral, showing party workers using offensive language; senior Congress leaders were reportedly not present on stage during the incident.
- BJP leaders called for Rahul Gandhi to publicly apologize, stating such language is intolerable and that Biharis would not forgive this "politics of insult and hatred".
- The BJP also criticized the decision to invite southern leaders like MK Stalin and Revanth Reddy—who have been accused of making derogatory remarks about Biharis—to campaign in the state.
- Congress has distanced itself from the incident, condemning the language used and clarifying that it does not approve of such behaviour.
Virar Building Collapse: 15 Dead, Including Child—Rescue Ops Continue Amid Tragedy
- A four-storey building in Virar, Palghar district, collapsed shortly after midnight during a child’s birthday party, instantly trapping residents and guests in the debris.
- The confirmed death toll stands at 15, including a woman and her baby; six others have been seriously injured and are being treated in local hospitals.
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and fire brigade teams are conducting urgent rescue operations, manually clearing debris due to narrow lanes and continuing their search for survivors.
- Authorities have declared the building an “unauthorised” structure, raising serious concerns about illegal construction and building safety norms in the region.
- Police have arrested the builder; adjacent chawls were evacuated and the municipal corporation has initiated support for affected families with food, shelter, and medical aid.
J&K Flash Flood Crisis: Areas Submerged, Survivors Struggle as Relief Efforts Intensify
- Flash floods caused by a cloudburst have left parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Doda, Kathua, and Kishtwar districts, submerged—damaging homes and key infrastructure.
- Several fatalities, including at least 4 deaths in Doda and more reportedly missing, have been confirmed, with rescue operations underway by the NDRF, SDRF, and Indian Army.
- Hundreds of residents have been displaced, taking refuge in shelters while struggling amid destroyed houses and disrupted normal life.
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and current officials visited impacted areas to assess damage and assured affected people of full government support and ongoing aid.
- Authorities have warned of continued risks due to high river levels, further rain, and potential landslides, urging residents to remain vigilant and stay away from water bodies.
US Treasury Chief: India Talks "Performative" As 50% Tariffs Hit Amid Trade Stalemate
- No comprehensive trade agreement has been reached between the US and India despite early talks, with Bessent noting, “we still don’t have a deal”.
- The US recently doubled tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, a move linked to India’s discounted oil purchases from Russia and frustration with slow trade negotiations.
- Bessent described India's stance in the negotiations as “performative,” suggesting that despite frequent meetings, substantial progress has been lacking.
- The US-India relationship, while complicated, was described as strong at the leadership level, with optimism that both sides will eventually resolve their differences.
- Bessent emphasized the US’s large trade deficit with India and asserted that Washington holds leverage as the “deficit country” in ongoing trade talks.