The first look of Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja was unveiled on Sunday, August 24, ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations starting August 27. The idol, dressed in striking magenta attire, left devotees spellbound. Located in Putlabai Chawl, Lalbaugcha Raja is one of Mumbai’s most visited Ganesh mandals, attracting lakhs of devotees, including celebrities, every year. The ten-day Ganeshotsav is celebrated across Maharashtra and India with rituals, prayers, music, and cultural events, ending with a grand visarjan. The Lalbaugcha Raja mandal, established in the early 1900s, continues to symbolize faith, devotion, and the cultural spirit of Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Cheteshwar Pujara has retired from all formats of cricket after playing 103 Tests for India. The 37-year-old revealed he thought about retirement for just a week before making the decision on August 24. Pujara scored 7,195 runs in Tests at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties. He last played for India in 2023 during the World Test Championship final. Speaking to Aaj Tak, Pujara said, “This was my personal call.” He added that he wants young players to get more opportunities. Pujara ends his career as India’s eighth highest run-scorer in Test cricket. (PC: India Today)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the United Nations’ declaration of famine in Gaza, calling it a “modern blood libel” and “outright lie.” The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) said half a million people are already in famine, and more than 6,40,000 could face catastrophic food insecurity by September. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 281 deaths from hunger, including 114 children. Netanyahu said, “Israel has no policy of starvation. The only ones deliberately starved are Israeli hostages.” He accused Hamas of orchestrating a “starvation campaign” and claimed aid deliveries are often looted before reaching warehouses.

BJP leader and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur told schoolchildren in Una, Himachal Pradesh, that Lord Hanuman could be seen as the “first astronaut.” Speaking at a PM Shri School on National Space Day, he asked students to “look beyond textbooks” and connect with India’s traditions. Thakur later shared the video on X, writing, “Pawansut Hanuman Ji… the first astronaut.” He said Hanuman’s journey showed India’s ancient knowledge and culture. “If you look at our traditions, you will find many things,” he added. His comments came as India celebrates new achievements in space exploration this year. (PC: HT)

Vietnam has ordered more than 586,000 people to evacuate as Typhoon Kajiki approaches with winds of up to 200 km/h. The storm is expected to make landfall early Monday in central provinces including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang. Authorities warned of heavy rainfall up to 400mm and storm surges of 2-4 meters. Flights have been cancelled, and boats ordered to remain ashore. The storm has already brought heavy rain to China’s Hainan Island. Officials fear Kajiki could be as deadly as Typhoon Yagi, which killed 300 people in Vietnam last year. Soldiers are helping with evacuations. (PC: BBC)

Police in Greater Noida arrested Sans Dayawati, mother-in-law of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, who was killed in a dowry attack. Her arrest came hours after Nikki’s husband, Vipin Bhati, was shot in the leg while fleeing police custody. Vipin, accused of setting Nikki on fire, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody. Nikki’s six-year-old son witnessed the attack, saying his father poured liquid on her and set her ablaze. Video clips showed Nikki being beaten and dragged. Her father said repeated dowry demands, including a Scorpio, Bullet bike, and even a Mercedes, led to constant harassment. (PC: India Today)

Fantasy sports platform Dream11 has stepped down as the lead sponsor of the Indian men’s cricket team ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. The decision comes after the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money gaming platforms in India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may invite fresh bids for jersey sponsorship. If no replacement is finalized before the tournament, Team India will play without a lead sponsor. Dream11 had signed a ₹358 crore deal with BCCI in 2023. The Asia Cup begins on September 9 in the UAE. (PC: NDTV)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that documents for 98.2% of Bihar’s 7.24 crore electors have been received during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. With eight days left before the September 1 deadline, only 1.8% remain pending. Verification is underway by 243 Electoral Registration Officers and 2,976 Assistant EROs. The Supreme Court is monitoring the process after 65 lakh names were excluded in the August 1 draft. The ECI has uploaded omitted names online and is accepting claims with valid ID documents. Final rolls will be published on September 30. The Commission emphasized legal compliance and dismissed voter fraud allegations as baseless. (PC: The Hindu)

Israel carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sana’a on Sunday, targeting areas controlled by Houthi rebels. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck military infrastructure, including fuel storage sites, power plants, and a military complex near the presidential palace. Loud explosions were heard across the city, and residents reported damage. The strikes came after Houthis fired newly equipped missiles, including cluster bombs, toward Israel. While no damage was reported in Israel, the IDF said the Houthis act with Iranian support. The group has also targeted ships in the Red Sea, disrupting trade worth nearly $1 trillion annually. (PC: HT)

At least five people, including an Indian national, were killed after a tour bus from Niagara Falls to New York City crashed near Buffalo. The accident happened on Interstate 90 in Pembroke on Friday afternoon. The victims include Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar, and four others of Chinese origin living in the US. Police said the bus, carrying 54 passengers, lost control, went into the median, and overturned into a ditch. Most passengers were Indian, Chinese, or Filipino. Many were injured but not in life-threatening condition. Governor Kathy Hochul said her office is closely monitoring the response. (PC: India Today)