Month: August 2025

Salman Khan celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with his family on Wednesday in Mumbai.

In a clip shared by Salman Khan on Instagram, the actor was seen performing aarti, preceded by his mother, Salma Khan, and father, Salim Khan.

The clip began with a glimpse of a beautiful idol of Ganpati, decorated with flowers. At first, Salman’s mother, Salma Khan, performed the aarti, followed by the actor’s father and veteran lyricist Salim Khan.

Salman Khan, dressed in a black shirt and beige pants, performed the aarti and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha. The clip had a Ganapati song played in the background.

It was followed by Salman Khan’s siblings and the rest of his family members, which include Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Alvira Khan, Alizeh Agnihotri, Arpita, Aayush Sharma and their sons Ahil Sharma and Ayat Sharma.

The Bollywood couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza, along with their children, also participated in the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration with Salman Khan and his family.

Take a look at the video here.

Salman Khan was not the only actor who celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi on Wednesday. Several celebrities also attended

Several celebrities gathered at Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani’s residence to celebrate the occasion.

The couple, who tied the knot in February last year, hosted a special puja at their home in Mumbai. The celebrations saw a mix of film stars and cricketers coming together to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha in a traditional yet glamorous style.

Ananya Panday was one of the first stars spotted at the event. The outfit featured a long kurta with subtle golden embroidery and a scalloped border, paired with flowy white bottoms.

She completed her look with a matching dupatta draped softly over her shoulders. Ananya kept her style minimal with soft waves in her hair and simple juttis.

Adding a burst of Maharashtrian vibe, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia arrived together and made heads turn. Riteish looked handsome in a white kurta-pyjama paired with a deep red Nehru jacket, while his long hair and beard gave his look a traditional yet modern twist.

Genelia wore a rich silk saree in hues of red and black with a golden border, paired with a green blouse. Her traditional jewellery and warm smile added to her festive glow.

India’s legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar also shared a glimpse of his Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on social media on Wednesday.

Sachin took to X and wrote, “Festivals feel more special when celebrated together, as a family with tradition, and with love. Ganpati Bappa Morya.”

Sachin can be seen doing the pooja of Ganpati with his family at home. Bollywood actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha also offered glimpses to the fans on Instagram on Wednesday.

As part of Ganesh Chaturthi, people bring Lord Ganesha idols into their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals.

Celebrated across the country, the festival sees lakhs of devotees gathering in temples and mandals to seek blessings from Lord Ganesh. (ANI)

In the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, 30 Naxals surrendered and were rehabilitated, officials said on Wednesday.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said the surrender and rehabilitation of 30 Naxals in Bijapur is the result of the state government’s rehabilitation policy, the efforts of security forces, and ongoing development work

He also urged Naxals to join the mainstream and improve their lives.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, “In Bijapur in the Bastar region, 30 Naxalites have been rehabilitated. This is one of the largest numbers so far. This is the result of the Chhattisgarh government’s rehabilitation policy, the bravery of the jawans, and the government’s development works. We repeatedly appeal to the Naxalites to join the mainstream and improve their lives…”

Earlier, on August 17, in a success for the Gariaband Police, four Naxals surrendered.

Inspector General of Raipur Range, Amresh Mishra, called it the success of the police force and added, “This is an unprecedented success for Gariaband Police, this area, and for the state. 4 Naxal cadres, who were active for the last decade in this region, have surrendered with their weapons…”

The surrendered Naxals were later felicitated by the police.

Inspector General of Raipur Range, Amresh Mishra, added that the Naxals had a prize of a total of Rs 19 lakhs and said, “They told us that the youth in Naxal organisations want to leave this path of violence and come to the mainstream, but they are being held captive… They had a total prize of Rs 19 lakh on them…”

Meanwhile, one jawan was killed and two others injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by Naxalites in the National Park area of Bijapur district on Monday, a police official said.

According to IG Bastar P Sundarraj, during an anti-Maoist operation by the DRG team in Bijapur district’s National Park area, an IED blast occurred in the morning. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those who died in a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the CMO, CM Yogi announced financial assistance of Rs four lakh for the families of deceased residents of Uttar Pradesh.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials to make arrangements for sending the bodies of the deceased to their homes.

A landslide on Tuesday occurred near the Vaishno Devi shrine, where 30 people lost their lives. The landslide occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari Cave Temple, located on the route to the Vaishno Devi shrine.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting to review the rescue and relief operations and preparedness of the Union Territory after the landslide that occurred near the Vaishno Devi shrine in J-K’s Katra and the flash flood situation in several districts.

The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to take every possible measure to ensure that people staying in low-lying flood-affected areas are safely evacuated.

He asked the officials to ensure the maintenance of all essential services, such as power, healthcare, clean drinking water, rations, and teleconnectivity. He said the essential services disrupted in flood-affected areas must be restored as a priority, and the natural-disaster-hit regions should have an adequate stock of essential supplies and medicines.

The Lieutenant Governor also directed the immediate restoration of roads and bridges on National Highways, the establishment of alternate routes for traffic movement, and the preparation of hospitals in case of an influx of patients with waterborne diseases.

The Lieutenant Governor directed PDD to closely work with NHPC Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to expedite the restoration of the power infrastructure. He called upon the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to assist PWD in restoring UT’s roads along with National Highways. (ANI)

The Trump administration introduced restrictions on the I visa classification for foreign journalists covering the United States on Wednesday (local time). While the proposed 240-day limit isn’t directly tied to this administration’s actions, a relevant rule change did occur during this time.

The rule aims to replace the longstanding practice of admitting most media representatives for as long as they maintained qualifying employment abroad, a system introduced in 1985. DHS argues that the indefinite “duration of status” model undermined oversight, enabled fraud and abuse, and limited opportunities for the government to verify compliance.

“The Trump Administration has now decided to place restrictions on the duration of visa classification “I” which is issued to foreign journalists proposing to cover the United States and visa extension will be granted only if the immigration official is convinced of the activities of the Journalist,” read the proposal from Kristi Noem, Secretary, US Department of Homeland Security.

Currently, a foreign journalist is granted permission to live and work in the US for the duration of their employment status with a foreign media organisation. Now, a time limit of 240 days is proposed, and after that, an extension would be granted only if the immigration officer is satisfied with the journalist’s activities.

DHS has justified the move as necessary to strengthen immigration controls and align I visa admission rules with the fixed timelines applied to most other non-immigrant categories. It stated that the new regime would “provide additional protections and oversight” and ensure that representatives of the foreign press are engaged only in their permitted professional duties while in the United States.

Meanwhile, on May 11, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule restricting the admission period for Chinese journalists on I visas to 90 days, rather than allowing them to stay for the duration of their status.

The proposed regulation would establish a fixed time period for F visas for international students, J visas that permit visitors participating in cultural exchange programs to work in the US, and I visas for members of the media.

The I visa is designed for foreign journalists, media professionals, and representatives of foreign media organisations working in the US to gather news, produce documentaries, or cover events for foreign media outlets.

To qualify for an I visa, applicants must be employed by a foreign media organisation, engage in news gathering or reporting activities, and produce non-commercial content intended for a foreign audience, according to the proposal.

I visa holders are generally admitted for the duration of their status, but specific rules apply to Chinese journalists, who are admitted for a maximum of 90 days, with possible 90-day extensions if they demonstrate activities consistent with I classification.

Foreign journalists must apply for an I visa at a US embassy or consulate, providing proof of employment with a foreign media organisation and intent to engage in media activities in the US.

As per the proposal, “I” visa requirements include proof of employment with a foreign media organisation headquartered outside the US; intent to engage in news gathering, reporting, or documentary production and activities must be informational, non-commercial, and intended for a foreign audience.

This move is part of a broader effort to tighten legal immigration policies in the US. For “F” visas of international students, the proposed regulation would limit the visa period to four years or the program end date, whichever is shorter, plus a 30-day grace period. Students must apply for extensions before their admission expires.

For “J” visas of exchange visitors, holders are admitted for a fixed period, typically up to four years, and must apply for extensions.

For “I” visas of journalists, the visa period would be limited to 240 days, with possible extensions. Chinese nationals would face an even shorter limit of 90 days.

Over 1.6 million international students on F visas in the US would be affected. Approximately 355,000 exchange visitors and 13,000 members of the media granted visas in fiscal year 2024 would also be impacted.

NAFSA, a non-profit organisation representing international educators, opposed a similar proposal in 2020 and called for its withdrawal. The Biden administration withdrew the 2020 proposal in 2021.

The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposed regulation once it’s published in the Federal Register. (ANI)

Torrential monsoon rains continued to batter Himachal Pradesh, crippling road connectivity, power supply, and drinking water schemes across the state.

According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), as of Wednesday evening, 582 roads, including two national highways, remained blocked, 1,155 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) were disrupted, and 346 water supply schemes were out of service.

The cumulative toll from the ongoing monsoon havoc since June 20 has climbed to 310 deaths, the SDMA said. Of these, 158 were rain-related fatalities — including landslides, flash floods, and house collapses — while 152 people died in road accidents triggered or worsened by the weather.

The SDMA’s State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) report noted that restoration efforts were hampered by persistent heavy rainfall in several districts, with Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Shimla among the worst hit. Kullu district alone reported 166 road blockages, including closures on NH-03 and NH-305, as well as widespread damage to local routes.

Power supply disruptions were most severe in Mandi (295 transformers affected) and Kullu (841 affected, including damage in the Lug Valley, Manikaran, and Larji areas). Water supply schemes were hit hardest in Kullu (88 disrupted) and Mandi (64 disrupted), leaving thousands without regular access to drinking water.

The SDMA cautioned that with weather warnings still in place, further disruption to public utilities and potential casualty figures cannot be ruled out. District administrations have been instructed to prioritise the restoration of critical services and maintain emergency shelters for stranded residents and travellers.

The SDMA data shows that the worst rain-related casualty counts were reported from Mandi (29), Kangra (30), Chamba (14), Kinnaur (14), and Kullu (13). Landslides and flash floods alone have claimed at least 19 lives, with drowning accounting for 33 deaths. Electrocution and other rain-linked mishaps also contributed significantly to the toll.

Road accidents, which surged amid slippery roads, poor visibility, and landslide debris, claimed 22 lives each in Chamba and Mandi, 19 in Kangra, 16 in Solan, and 15 in Shimla. Fatal crashes were also recorded in Bilaspur (7), Kinnaur (14), Kullu (13), and other districts. (ANI)

The spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi has taken over Bollywood and the cricket fraternity, coming together to celebrate the festival with immense devotion and joy.

On Wednesday, India’s legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar shared a glimpse of his Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on social media.

Sachin took to X and wrote, “Festivals feel more special when celebrated together, as a family with tradition, and with love. Ganpati Bappa Morya.”

Sachin can be seen doing the pooja of Ganpati with his family at home.

Bollywood actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha also offered glimpses to the fans on Instagram.

Jacqueline shared that she is welcoming ‘Bappa’ home for the very first time.

She wrote, “Welcoming Bappa home for the very first time. May this new beginning be filled with blessings, love, and light. Ganpati Bappa Morya!”

Wearing a pink chiffon saree, Jacqueline can be seen performing a puja and offering flowers to Lord Ganesha.

On the other side, Nushrratt visited Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja to celebrate the festival.

“Ganpati Bappa Morya #Blessed,” she wrote.

As part of the festivities, people bring Lord Ganesh idols into their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals. Celebrated across the country, the festival sees lakhs of devotees gathering in temples and mandals to seek blessings from Lord Ganesh. (ANI)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to demonstrate its commitment to national service by launching extensive relief and rescue missions in response to the rising water levels and devastating floods caused by incessant rains in the Jammu region and northern Punjab, the Ministry of Defence said in a release on Wednesday.

According to the release, five Mi-17 helicopters and one Chinook helicopter were promptly pressed into service from nearby bases in the Northern Sector, ensuring maximum rescue capability and operational reach. Additional helicopters remain on standby to join the rescue efforts.

An IAF C-130 transport aircraft, loaded with relief and rescue material along with an NDRF Team, reached Jammu to provide critical supplies and trained personnel for ongoing rescue efforts in the area. Additional transport aircraft remain on standby to join the rescue efforts.

In a textbook display of coordination and efficiency, 12 Army troops and 11 BSF personnel, including 3 BSF lady constables, were winched up to safety from flood-affected areas in the Akhnoor Area, Jammu. IAF remains committed to safeguarding armed forces personnel under challenging circumstances, a release said.

IAF helicopters successfully evacuated 46 stranded civilians as flooding intensified in the Pathankot Area, Punjab. Further, over 750 kilograms of essential relief material were air-dropped to support local communities.

In a high-stakes operation, 38 Army personnel and 10 BSF personnel were rescued by winching them up from the severely hit Dera Baba Nanak region, reflecting the IAF’s quick response and professionalism even under perilous conditions. Additional missions towards rescuing affected personnel are ongoing.

The Indian Air Force’s prompt actions, working in close cooperation with the Army, BSF, NDRF, and local authorities, have been instrumental in saving countless lives and delivering relief to those most affected. The deployment of advanced air assets and highly skilled crews ensured swift, safe evacuations and efficient delivery of aid in the midst of extreme weather, a release said.

The IAF stands ready to undertake further missions as the situation evolves, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the nation and its citizens during times of natural calamity. (ANI)

At least five children were injured in a shooting that occurred on Wednesday morning (local time) at a Catholic school in the city of Minneapolis in the state of Minnesota in the US, the New York Times reported, citing law enforcement and hospital sources.

According to the New York Times, citing an official statement from the City of Minneapolis, the incident took place at Annunciation Catholic Church, which operates a school and noted that the suspect had been “contained”.

Authorities stressed that there was no ongoing threat to public safety but urged residents to avoid the area. No further details on the suspect or the nature of the injuries were immediately provided, the New York Times reported.

“There is an active police situation at Annunciation Church, 509 W. 54th St. There is no active threat to the community at this time. The shooter is contained. Stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims – W. 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet Ave,” the city stated in a post on X.

Children’s Minnesota Hospital confirmed it was treating five children following the shooting but declined to share information on the severity of their injuries or their ages, as reported by the New York Times.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said agents were on-site at the church, located in South Minneapolis.

“ATF agents are responding to reports of an active shooter situation at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis,” it stated in a post on X.

According to The New York Times, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. According to the church’s website, the new school year began on Monday (local time), with an all-school Mass scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also issued a statement expressing sympathy for the incident.

“I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information. The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” he stated in a post on X.

US President Donald Trump also reacted to the tragedy. Taking to Truth Social, the US President stated that the White House is currently monitoring the situation, with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation swiftly responding to the scene.

“I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” Trump stated. (ANI)

Authorities have announced the closure of schools for an indefinite period in the flood-hit district of Punjab province as Monsoon havoc continues in Pakistan, ARY News reported, citing officials.

All public and private schools in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, and Pasrur will remain closed from August 27 until further review, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Saba Asghar Ali issued a notification stating, “To ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff amid torrential rains and the resulting flood situation, all public and private schools (Primary, Middle, High, and Higher Secondary) in District Sialkot shall remain closed on August 27, 2025. The closure will remain in effect until further review.”

All on-campus academic and co-curricular activities will remain suspended, ARY News reported, citing official notification.

The order directed strict implementation by all concerned authorities. Residents have also been advised to stay indoors, avoid commutation, and refrain from taking trips to affected places.

More than 24,000 people have been relocated from the low-lying areas of the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers as they brace for a “high flood”, Dawn reported on Tuesday.

Dawn reported that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had issued a flood alert in Punjab due to heavy rains, with a risk of flooding in the upper reaches of these rivers, particularly in the next 48 hours.

Citing rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad, Dawn reported that people have been evacuated from the low-lying areas of these rivers since Saturday. These rivers were experiencing low to high flooding due to torrential monsoon rains in the catchment areas, and more rain was expected over the next 48 hours.

In Karachi, Health professionals and leading environmental advocates have called on authorities to accelerate the removal of standing water and solid waste during the monsoon to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, as reported by Dawn.

They emphasised the importance of consistently cleaning stormwater drains and implementing rainwater harvesting strategies to help restore dwindling groundwater levels and reduce the chances of urban flooding, according to Dawn.

“There is a significant risk of vector-borne and water-borne diseases this year, especially following the intense rains we’ve recently experienced. We must act quickly with the limited time we have before the next downpour, as stagnant water will soon become breeding sites for mosquitoes,” stated Dr. Imran Sarwar, head of the emergency department at Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, per the Dawn report. (ANI)

Bollywood couple Govinda and Sunita Ahuja put all separation rumours to rest as they came together to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at their Mumbai residence on Wednesday.

Govinda, dressed in a maroon kurta, twinned with Sunita, who wore a matching saree. Videos from the celebration quickly went viral, showing the couple performing the Ganpati puja with devotion and distributing sweets to the paparazzi.

Speaking to the media during the celebration, Sunita strongly dismissed the ongoing rumours about their marriage and said that people should not believe such talk unless they themselves speak about it.

Making it clear that no one can come between them, Sunita said, “Aaj media ke muh pe thappad nahi padi hai kya? Humko saath me dekh kar. Itna close… agar kuch hota toh itne nazdeek hote? Humari duriya hoti. Koi hum dono ko alag nahi kar sakta. Chahe upar se koi bhi aa jaye… Mera Govinda sirf mera hi hai aur kisi ka nahi hai.” (Hasn’t the media gotten a slap in the face today? Seeing us together like this. So close… If there was something wrong, would we be this close? There would’ve been distance between us. No one can separate us… My Govinda is only mine and no one else’s.)

She added with a smile, “Jab tak hum kuch na bole, koi bhi cheez pe aap mat boliye” (Until we say something, please don’t speak on anything).

Several guests were also spotted at their home, including ‘Bigg Boss 13’ contestant Paras Chhabra, who came for Ganpati darshan.

Govinda and Sunita, who have been married since 1987, are proud parents to Tina and Yashvardhan. While Tina made her Bollywood debut in 2015 with ‘Second Hand Husband,’ Yashvardhan is preparing for his acting debut soon. (ANI)