Articles

Rakhi Hand Guide: Which Wrist Should You Tie Rakhi On? Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond of love, care and support between siblings, but one practical question often comes up before the ceremony: which hand should the Rakhi be tied on? This Rakhi hand guide explains the traditional right wrist custom, why the right hand has ritual significance, how Lumba Rakhi differs and when using the left wrist is perfectly reasonable.

Rakhi Thali Decoration at Home: Items, Ideas and Easy Steps Easy Rakhi thali decoration at home can make the Raksha Bandhan ceremony feel more personal without requiring expensive craft supplies. A traditional Rakhi puja plate usually brings together the rakhi, roli, akshat, diya and sweets, while flowers, fabric and simple handmade details add festive character.

Bhai Dooj vs Raksha Bandhan Differences: Rituals and Meaning Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, but they are not the same festival. Bhai Dooj vs Raksha Bandhan differences can be seen in their rites, dates, myths, meaning and customs. One centers on tying a rakhi, while the other is marked by a sacred tilak and prayers for a brother’s well-being. Rites

Onam 2026 date guide explains the Date, Kerala celebrations, traditional Customs, famous Sadya and cultural Meaning of one of India's most colourful harvest festivals. Onam brings Malayali families together through Pookalam decorations, traditional attire, festive meals, music, dance and celebrations honouring King Mahabali. Date The main day of Onam in 2026 is Thiruvonam, which falls on Wednes

The US Canada tariff crisis entered a sharper phase after negotiations in Washington ended without an agreement, clearing the way for 50% US tariffs on nearly $20 billion worth of Canadian imports. Canada responded by suspending negotiations and preparing matching retaliatory measures as the tariff impact threatens to deepen tensions between the neighboring economies. Canada retaliation follows collapse in negotiations

Two worshippers were injured in an Edmonton gurdwara attack early Friday, August 21, after a man entered the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara and allegedly stabbed two people who confronted him. Edmonton Police Service said a 27-year-old suspect was detained by witnesses before officers arrived, while investigators are now examining the motive and whether hate played any role. Nanaksar According to Edmon

Official Pentagon data for FY2025 shows a further US military assault decline, with estimated unwanted sexual contact falling among active-duty women and men. The 2025 survey also found a higher reporting rate, while total sexual assault reports declined from recent years. Pentagon data The FY2025 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military found that estimated unwanted sexual contact fell

US-Iran tensions, a deadly Russian drone attack in Ukraine, security concerns in Meghalaya and a new international notice linked to the Sambhal violence case. Officials have issued fresh statements as military, diplomatic and law-enforcement developments unfold. Trump Hormuz remarks sharpen US-Iran tensions US President Donald Trump said he views the Strait of Hormuz as “American territory”

Iran has sharpened its defence rhetoric as pressure from Washington intensifies, with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Ahmad Vahidi saying the country has built a “solid defensive shield” against external threats. His remarks come as President Donald Trump expands economic pressure on Tehran. Vahidi plan In a message marking National Defence Industry Day, Vahidi said Iran was confron

The Nigerian Navy has rescued nine suspected stowaways discovered aboard the merchant vessel MT Evgenia in Lagos and handed them over to the Nigeria Immigration Service. The NNS Beecroft handover followed an investigation into an alleged illegal travel attempt from Apapa, highlighting continuing concerns over maritime safety and irregular migration. NNS handover follows discovery aboard MT Evgenia

The Kharge Vande Mataram row intensified on Tuesday, August 18, as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended the version of the national song followed by his party and rejected BJP allegations of disrespect. The dispute has also fuelled a wider Congress-BJP clash as Kharge focuses on strengthening the party in Goa ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Vande Mataram Row Intensifies Kharge t

Nearly 18 years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Indian authorities have initiated the 26/11 in absentia trial process against six Pakistan-based accused linked to the conspiracy. Mumbai Police has moved to invoke the new legal mechanism under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, while the court must still determine whether all statutory requirements have been fulfilled. The accused are Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur

Delhi Police has defended its handling of the July 20 Sansad Chalo protest in a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on August 18, 2026. Police rejected allegations of excessive force, saying officers adopted a graded response after parts of the crowd breached barricades and attempted to move towards Parliament. The affidavit comes amid judicial scrutiny of policing during the student-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Delhi P

Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra have received a clean chit from the Special Investigation Team probing alleged theft and irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. According to an official statement cited on August 18, the Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report and forwarded it to the temple trust for further consideration.

More than 2.07 crore Maharashtra SIR voter forms remained uncollected at the end of the enumeration exercise, bringing voter verification into focus before the state publishes its draft electoral roll. The scale is significant because Maharashtra has nearly 9.8 crore registered voters, while Mumbai SIR, Thane SIR and Pune SIR account for a large share of the pending forms. The Special Intensive Revision, conducted under the Election Commis

The Taliban seeks deeper India ties as Afghanistan looks to strengthen political trust, trade and regional connectivity with New Delhi. Taliban chargé d’affaires Noor Ahmed Noor highlighted India ties and their shared history while outlining Kabul’s interest in broader diplomatic and economic engagement. India ties gain focus at New Delhi event Noor made the remarks during a New Delhi even

A new India global opinion survey shows striking differences in how the country is viewed worldwide. Sri Lanka records the strongest favourable opinion, while the UK, Kenya and Germany also show strong goodwill. Pakistan stands at the opposite end, giving India its lowest rating among the 36 countries surveyed. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka emerged as the most India-friendly country in Pew Research Cente

India will celebrate India Independence Day 2026 on Saturday, August 15, marking the country's 80th Independence Day and 79 completed years of freedom. The national ceremony at the Red Fort in Delhi will highlight Vande Mataram, Viksit Bharat and India's freedom history while looking toward the country's future. 80th Independence Day: Why India Completes 79 Y

A new Pew Research Center survey shows the India-Pakistan threat perception remains deeply rooted. Rivalry, China’s role, Russia ties, mistrust and public opinion reveal how decades of tension continue to shape South Asia despite major changes in the global order. Rivalry India and Pakistan continue to see each other as their biggest geopolitical threat nearly eight decades after Partition. A

Nashik experienced two fresh earthquakes early Friday, August 14, extending a period of repeated seismic activity across northern Maharashtra. The Nashik earthquake August 14 sequence included magnitude 3.5 and 3.4 tremors, while authorities continue monitoring Nashik tremors, building risk and activity around Palghar. Nashik tremors continue before dawn According to reviewed data from the Nati