 "An additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India will come into effect from August 27. File image/AP")
It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, the additional 25 per cent tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump will come into effect from today. Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany and Poland are to visit Moldova.
Unsc is scheduled to convene to deliberate on the situation in West Asia, including the Palestinian question. The Venice Film Festival will officially begin from today. In India, the vibrant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi will begin today.
Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.
Trump’s additional 25 per cent tariffs to come into effect
An additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India will come into effect from today. This raise brings the total tariff on Indian goods to a significant 50 per cent, one of the steepest rates applied to any US trading partner.
This latest escalation follows Executive Order 14329, which cites national security concerns linked to India’s continuing purchases of Russian oil amid global tensions involving the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
The sectors anticipated to bear the brunt of the impact include textiles, automotive parts, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, all heavily reliant on the US market. The tariff surge is expected to hit their cost competitiveness, shrink demand, and erode profit margins.
Germany, France, and Poland to meet in Moldovo
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are set to visit Chișinau, Moldova, in a coordinated show of support for the nation’s sovereignty and European aspirations. This delegation comes at the invitation of pro-European President Maia Sandu, coinciding with the 34th anniversary of Moldova’s independence day.
All three leaders hail from the Weimar Triangle, a regional European alliance. They intend to reaffirm Moldova’s commitment to democratic reform, security, and EU integration, especially critical ahead of the country’s September 2025 parliamentary elections amid ongoing Russian destabilisation attempts.
Diplomats see the trip as a strategic move to bolster Moldova’s resilience. In recent months, France, Germany, and Poland have made clear their unwavering support for Moldova’s European path, offering assistance in strengthening democratic institutions, combating disinformation, and enhancing security.
Unsc meet on Israel, Palestine
The United Nations Security Council (Unsc) is scheduled to convene to deliberate on the situation in West Asia, including the Palestinian question, amid growing international concern over the humanitarian and security crisis in the region.
The meeting comes after a series of urgent briefings held earlier in August addressing escalating violence, civilian casualties, and the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. The Unsc has struggled in recent months to reach consensus on binding measures, with divisions among permanent members often slowing decisive action.
Diplomatic sources suggest that the session will hear reports from senior UN officials, including updates on the humanitarian situation, the impact of ongoing hostilities, and the status of mediation efforts. Particular focus is expected on civilian protection, humanitarian access, and the release of hostages, issues that have dominated discussions since the intensification of the conflict earlier this year.
Venice Film Festival to begin
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival will officially open on the scenic Lido di Venezia today. The opening ceremony, hosted by Emanuela Fanelli, will take place in the iconic Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema.
Werner Herzog will be presented the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement while Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘La Grazia’ will be premiered at the festival. Some of the other movies include Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’, Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’, Yorgos Lanthimos’s ‘Bugonia’, Noah Baumbach’s ‘Jay Kelly’, Luca Guadagnino’s ‘After the Hunt’, and Kathryn Bigelow’s ‘A House of Dynamite’.
The Orizzonti section opens with Teona Mitevska’s film ‘Mother’, co-produced by Prateek Bagi, spotlighting experimental and emerging global talent.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations to begin
The 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival will begin in India from today with celebrations taking place across the country. The festival will see homes, temples, and public spaces adorned with beautifully crafted idols of the beloved deity, worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom.
The festivities traditionally start with the installation of idols, accompanied by pranapratishtha rituals to invoke the divine presence. Devotees perform aartis, offer flowers, and prepare Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweets, especially modaks, symbolising spiritual prosperity and happiness. Over the following days, communities will gather for prayers, music, dance, and cultural events, reinforcing the festival’s role as both a religious and social celebration.
Cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru are gearing up for massive celebrations, with Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal expected to draw millions of devotees. The celebrations will conclude on Anant Chaturdashi, when idols are carried out in vibrant processions.
With inputs from agencies