🎁 Raksha Bandhan 2026 sister gift guide is here

HerZindagi has put together a curated gift guide for Raksha Bandhan 2026 to help with sister gifting. The guide features options for skincare lovers, sweet tooth enthusiasts, comfort seekers, and jewelry fans. Products range from Twenty-seven's Hydra Boost moisturizer at ₹1899 to Qween Jewels' bracelet at ₹3,29,415. Gifts include hampers from Akhand Sweets and Mad Over Donuts, alongside comfy loungewear sets. This list ensures there is something perfect for every sister's style.

🏴‍☠️ Indians Hijacked By Pirates Near Yemen and Somalia

Two commercial ships carrying 22 Indian crew members were hijacked by armed pirates in separate incidents. These events took place off Somalia's Puntland coast on August 17 and the Gulf of Aden near Yemen on August 20. The first ship, M/V LUTUF, had six Indians, while M.T. Sibu 1 had sixteen Indians aboard. All the Indian crew members from both vessels are reported to be safe currently. The vessels remain under pirate control while authorities manage the situation. 🏴‍☠️

🛰️ BrahMos missile's global appeal is soaring

India's BrahMos supersonic missile gained significant traction after its performance during Operation Sindoor. The missile proved its effectiveness by striking multiple targets in Pakistan, establishing itself as a major defence export success. The Philippines became the first buyer in 2022 for the anti-ship variant, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia. Now, the UAE and several other nations are showing interest in acquiring this formidable weapon. BrahMos Aerospace is also developing a next-gen version to expand its operational capabilities. 🚀

🇮🇳 Tagore's 89-Year Advice Sparks Congress-BJP Clash

A fierce political clash is happening over India's National Song, Vande Mataram. The Congress Working Committee reaffirmed its 1937 policy to only sing the first two stanzas at official events. This decision is rooted in Rabindranath Tagore's 1937 advice to avoid alienating non-Hindu communities. The BJP argues this compromise validated communal divisions, while Congress maintains it upholds secular unity. The debate highlights the tension between historical pluralism and a uniform national culture.

😠 School Clash in Jaipur: 48-Hour Deadline Set

The Cockroach Janta Party founder, Abhijeet Dipke, issued a 48-hour warning regarding a school dispute in Jaipur. CJP activists, including Ashutosh Ranka, were confronted by locals while visiting a primary school in Rampura-Kanwarpura village, Jaipur district. Dipke demands the start of school repair work and the arrest of BJP goons within 48 hours. This follows the CJP's 'School Thik Karo' campaign launched on August 15 to highlight poor school amenities. Dipke threatened a sit-in protest in Jaipur, mirroring their Jantar Mantar action. 😠

🏎️ Monegasque GT driver Cedric Sbirrazzuoli passed away

Monegasque GT driver Cedric Sbirrazzuoli passed away on Thursday, August 20th, at the age of 39. He was married to Martina in June and built a varied career in GT and endurance racing. His racing journey included competition in GT4, GT2, and driving Ferrari machinery like the 296 GT3. In 2024, he raced with Conquest Racing, securing a victory at Petit Le Mans. Tributes have flooded in from teams and peers following his untimely passing.

🚨 FDA Commissioner says no to politics after food crackdown

Tukaram Mundhe, the Maharashtra FDA commissioner, recently addressed whether he would enter politics in an interview. He stated firmly that politics does not suit his forthright and outspoken nature. Under his tenure, his department conducted 3,000 raids and seized goods worth Rs 55 crore till July 31. Mundhe's tough stance has led to shutdowns at places like Domino's and Blinkit stores. He emphasizes that his job as a bureaucrat is to implement decisions made by politicians. 🧐

🚨 Kavitha calls out Rahul Gandhi over Telangana police brutality

Kavitha Kalvakuntla questioned Rahul Gandhi regarding his silence on alleged police brutality in Telangana. The Telangana Rakshana Sena president shared a video showing an incident in Mahabubabad on August 19. She contrasted this with Gandhi's focus on Delhi's police action during a protest. Kavitha accused Gandhi of having double standards, saying Delhi got his outrage, but Telangana got silence. Further details regarding the Mahabubabad incident are currently under examination. 🧐

🚨 Caught on CCTV: Women Robbed in 15 Seconds

Two women were allegedly attacked and robbed of their earrings while walking in Panchkula, Punjab. The incident occurred when three unidentified men surrounded them during their regular walk. The entire robbery, from approach to escape, reportedly took around 15 seconds, as shown on CCTV. This quick act has raised safety concerns among residents, especially women and elderly people. Police have started an investigation by checking CCTV footage and tracking the accused's movements. 😟

🏛️ Rai details Ram Mandir decisions via Misra-led body

Former Ram Mandir Trust general secretary Champat Rai released a nine-page letter detailing temple trust operations amidst donation theft allegations. The letter asserts that key construction decisions were made by the Nripendra Misra-led Temple Construction Committee in Ayodhya. The committee began work in June 2020 and is projected to complete the stone temple by June 2026. Rai emphasized financial transparency and free pilgrim services, countering scrutiny over the trust's management. Misra responded by stating he had not seen the letter and accused others of stirring controversy.

🚀 India's Pralay: New game-changer in missile tech

Short-range ballistic missiles are becoming key weapons in modern conflicts across Europe and West Asia. India's DRDO developed the Pralay missile, a road-mobile tactical ballistic system. It boasts a range of 150 to 500 kilometers and a payload of 350 to 1,000 kilograms. Pralay offers a conventional strike option outside India's nuclear doctrine, adding battlefield flexibility. Its solid-fuel propulsion and maneuverability make it highly capable among its peers. 🚀