Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film Award at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, which follows the story of two child
South Africa defeated Angola 2-1 in their opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Lyle Foster scoring the winning goal from outside the box. Despite a disallowed goal and hitting the crossbar, South Africa managed to hold on for the win. Angola had their chances, but South Africa's well-organized team secured a positive start to their campaign.
Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, is determined to enhance their fielding skills and maintain their winning streak against Sri Lanka in the second WT20I. Although their fielding was a concern in the first game, Kaur is confident that the team will bounce back after a six-week break.
Despite leading the Premier League at Christmas, Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta knows that this does not guarantee a title win, as past experiences have taught him. Arsenal has held the top spot at Christmas four times in the Premier League era but has never won the title.
India Women (IND-W) dominated Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) in the 2nd T20I match, winning by 8 wickets. Jemimah Rodrigues scored a half century, continuing her impressive form from the World Cup. India's fielding was a concern with 4 dropped catches, but they will look to improve in the second match at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
Hikaru Nakamura, a top contender for the Candidates tournament, is focusing on preparation and has only one tournament planned. He believes in working smarter, not harder, and has found a balance between being a content creator and a chess player. He continues to stream and create content for his YouTube channel, proving that traditional notions of studying chess for long hours are outdated.
Dinesh Karthik reflects on his time playing with Virat Kohli, describing him as a fierce competitor but also a fun-loving person. He admires Kohli's will to fight and never back down, and sees him as a serial winner who enjoys winning more than anything else.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs has granted a 5-year extension for all National Sports Federations (NSFs) to hold their elections, in order to comply with the new National Sports Governance (NSG) act. The act calls for a restructuring of the NSFs and the inclusion of at least four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) in the Executive Committee.
FIFPRO is worried about AIFF's move to form a new players' association under its control, which would undermine the recognized and independent FPAI. The new association would not have the power to legally represent or bind AIFF. This could harm players' rights and bargaining power. FPAI opposes this decision and AIFF claims to be following the Supreme Court's orders.
BCCI's Apex Council increases match fees for women players in domestic cricket to Rs 50,000 for starting XI and Rs 25,000 for those on the bench. This decision follows India's World Cup win and a proposal to give equal match fees to female cricketers as male players by 2022. Council also considers eliminating umpire grouping.
Days after BJP roped several of its former corporators into its fold, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP hit back as Sandeep Waghere, considered a heavyweight BJP leader, joined the party.
Wayne Rooney hails Declan Rice as the next England captain for his impressive skills and decision-making on the pitch. Rice has been crucial in Arsenal's success in the Premier League and Champions League, but they will face tough competition from Manchester City.
Janhvi Kapoor addressed the issue of navigating male egos in the film industry on Two Much With Twinkle and Kajol. This is a common experience for women in various fields, leading to imposter syndrome, low self-esteem, and anxiety. To combat this, women can use assertive communication and organizations can promote psychological safety and gender-sensitivity training.
Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc plans to extend his Test cricket career by sacrificing T20 cricket. He hopes to win an Ashes series in England before he turns 37 in 2027. Starc played a key role in Australia retaining the urn in the current series, but he still desires to win a Test series in England.
Iki is a Japanese philosophy that embraces simplicity and naturalness in a society of excess. It is not about seeking attention, but rather exuding quiet confidence and effortless charm. This concept can be applied to personal style, conversations, design, and demeanor.
Despite promising a new approach, England has once again struggled in the Ashes series in Australia. Former cricketer Nasser Hussain acknowledges the changes made since their last defeat, but points out the same mistakes in batting, bowling, and fielding. Even with a different strategy, England has still failed to win, disappointing Hussain.
Despite being behind 0-3 in the Ashes series, England's head coach Brendon McCullum intends to stay in his role until the end of the 2027 World Cup. He remains focused on getting the best out of his team and is not concerned about his job security. With a chance to win the Ashes in a home series, McCullum is determined to keep England's hopes alive.
Australia's prediction of a 5-0 win over England in the Ashes series is becoming a reality as England is already 0-3 down. McGrath believes England's mentality is to blame for their long winless streak in Australia.
Mohanlal and Priyadarshan's successful partnership has produced a diverse range of films, loved by audiences and high in rewatch value. However, their recent collaboration, Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, did not work well. Though it won three National Film Awards before its release, Marakkar, mounted on a reported budget of Rs 100 crore, grossed only Rs 45.4 crore worldwide and became a bomb.
The Punjab government has declared Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo as "Holy Cities" to promote cultural and religious development. This designation will bring changes in local administration and economy, including a ban on the sale of liquor and meat. However, there are concerns about the impact on Nihang Sikhs and shopkeepers' livelihoods.
Saumya Tandon, known for her role in Dhurandhar, recently gave a tour of her personally designed home. From the grand entrance with a chandelier and wallpaper, to the French-inspired living room with distressed furniture, every corner holds a special meaning. Paintings by her mother and personal touches make her home feel lived-in and reflective of her own personality.
Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in the groundbreaking Avatar franchise, was released in theaters and grossed $88 million in its opening weekend. While the first two films were box office successes, the series has faced criticism for its lack of cultural relevance. However, Avatar's impact on filmmaking, specifically in 3D technology, cannot be denied.
The government is set to launch 'Bharat Taxi', a cooperative-led digital mobility app, to empower commercial vehicle drivers and compete with private companies like Ola and Uber. The app, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, offers user-friendly booking, transparent fares, vehicle tracking, and 24/7 customer service.
Aditya Dhar, the director of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar, has had a remarkable journey in the film industry. Despite facing struggles and betrayals, he made his directorial debut in 2019 and has since earned over Rs 1,200 crore worldwide. His success with Uri: The Surgical Strike not only changed his life but also introduced him to his wife, Yami Gautam.
Aakash Chopra believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal should have been included in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, considering his impressive performance in the 2024 World Cup. However, with Shubman Gill becoming a regular member, Jaiswal was overlooked. Chopra points out that Jaiswal's name is among the six Indians to score centuries in all formats.
Bengaluru's infrastructure has been questionable, with public figures like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw raising concerns on social media. Recently, Caleb Friesen, a Canadian tech influencer living in India, highlighted the challenges he and his young son faced while walking through Indiranagar.
Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan's son, Aryan Khan, made an impactful debut with his satirical action drama series, The Ba***ds of Bollywood. The show, produced by Gauri, received positive responses, and Aryan won the Best Debutant Director award at the NDTV Indian of the Year event. A new video shows Aryan's grandmother expressing her happiness and him promising to dedicate his next award to her.
Top 10 most searched travel destinations in India 2025: Travel trends in India have evolved from family vacations to more experience-driven and offbeat adventures. Social media has played an intrinsic role in the shift, with travel influencers creating visually compelling content, real-time storytelling, and hassle-free itineraries.
National Mathematics Day in India on December 22 celebrates Srinivasa Ramanujan, a brilliant mathematician known for his unconventional methods and groundbreaking contributions to the field. The Hardy-Ramanujan number showcases his deep interest and rigorous thinking in numbers. Ramanujan's innate ability to spot patterns solidified his status as a legend in mathematics.
In 2025, the conversation around ageing changed to a more practical approach, acknowledging the impact of nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and stress management on health span and function. The focus shifted to functional ageing and the influence of daily habits on biological ageing.
England's Ashes series defeat to Australia has sparked criticism from former captains, journalists, and broadcasters. The team's lack of preparation, professionalism, and leadership has been heavily scrutinized, with calls for changes in coaching and player attitudes.
India's ODI skipper Shubman Gill, T20 World Cup-bound Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh have been named in Punjab's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, due to BCCI's mandatory participation in the National One-Day Championship, they may only be available for 2-3 games.
Actor Randeep Hooda and his wife Lin Laishram celebrated their second wedding anniversary by announcing their first pregnancy. Lin spoke about the excitement and vulnerability of this phase and how her husband has been supportive. She also opened up about their previous miscarriage and how it affected them emotionally.
The deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar is December 31, 2025, after which your PAN will become inactive. The Ministry of Finance has issued a circular stating that those who have been allotted PAN based on Aadhaar must link it by this date. Both registered and unregistered users can easily link their Aadhaar and PAN online.
Electoral trusts have gained popularity as the main source of political donations for companies in 2024-25, with a total contribution of Rs 3,811 crore. The trust scheme, introduced in 2013, mandates reporting donations to the Election Commission and requires trusts to donate 95% of their funds to registered political parties. The top three trusts received 98% of all contributions in FY25.
Malayalees worldwide mourned the loss of renowned actor-filmmaker Sreenivasan, who was cremated at his home on Dec 21. Known for his wit and social commentary, he was considered a pioneer in Malayalam cinema. However, the funeral was marred by invasive media coverage, with producer Supriya Menon, wife of actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran, criticising the lack of privacy for the grieving family.
AI is making its mark in the film industry, as both actors and fans are using it in unique ways. Recently, fans were treated to AI-generated modern versions of Bollywood stars, causing mixed reactions. The misuse of AI in creating deepfakes has also raised concerns, prompting celebrities to take legal action to protect their rights.
Babul Supriyo's kids tried to meet MS Dhoni at his farmhouse in Ranchi, but their attempts failed. They sweet-talked the watchman and even name-dropped Babul's status as a minister, but it didn't work. The kids then called for backup and hilariously name-dropped every person they could think of to get Dhoni's number. Babul ended up getting trolled, highlighting Dhoni's cross-generational stardom.
22-year-old Cooper Connolly joins Punjab Kings in the IPL and is willing to play any role for the team. He is known for his versatility and is open to batting at any position. Having made his debut for Australia in T20Is, ODIs, and Tests, he is eager to learn from experienced players like Travis Head and Steve Smith, as well as work with legendary coach Ricky Ponting.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has passed a Bill to prevent and prohibit social boycott based on caste or community, with imprisonment of up to three years and fines up to Rs 1 lakh. It also targets informal decision-making structures that enforce such boycotts, although concerns have been raised about implementation.
Falling asleep within 10-20 minutes is normal, but doing so within 2-5 minutes may indicate sleep deprivation. Causes include sleep debt, poor quality, sleep apnea, mood disorders, or stress. Seek medical advice if accompanied by tiredness, headaches, or snoring. A sleep assessment or lifestyle review can help identify underlying medical conditions.
Rohit Sharma has returned to the Indian team in top form, with former teammate Amit Mishra praising his fitness and dismissing previous labels of being "heavy." Mishra stresses the importance of genuine fitness through healthy eating and natural exercise.
Celebrities like Virat Kohli, Shilpa Shetty, and Mouni Roy have found success in the hospitality business, but not all have been as fortunate. Actor Arjun Rampal's exclusive members-only nightclub, LAP, faced regulatory troubles and a police raid before ultimately shutting down. The club was unable to survive the strict regulations and controversies.
Renowned choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant celebrated her 50th birthday with her close friends from the film industry, including Ranveer Singh, Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, and others. She shared glimpses from the celebration on social media, expressing gratitude to everyone who has been a part of her journey. Vaibhavi has worked on several iconic films.
Chef Karan Gokani advises his younger self to not take things too seriously and enjoy the moment while pursuing his cooking career. He shares his experience on MasterChef UK, the impact of social media, and his love for Sri Lankan cuisine. He believes in the power of micro-influencers and staying true to oneself.
A Singapore cab driver accused two Indian passengers of vomiting in his taxi and refusing to compensate him for the cleanup. He shared the details of the incident in a Facebook post that has gone viral. The incident was first reported by the Mothership website.
Ranveer Singh makes a triumphant return with his latest film Dhurandhar, which has become a commercial success, grossing Rs 870 crore globally in just 17 days. Despite its controversial political storyline, the film has become Singh's biggest hit and given him a much-needed boost after a string of setbacks.
Entrepreneur and paragliding pilot Aneesh Bhasin's viral video experiment proves the effectiveness of N95 masks in improving air quality. Conducted at Mumbai's Juhu Beach, it showed a significant drop in AQI when the mask was placed over an air-quality monitor. Experts warn that while N95 masks can help, they are not a complete solution.
Boney Kapoor and Salman Khan have a successful past collaboration with hits like Sirf Tum, No Entry, and Wanted. However, they missed out on making Ghajini together due to remake rights issues, as Madhu Mantena kept him dangling for the same.
A 20-year-old engineering student from Jharkhand committed suicide in her hostel room at a private university in Chhattisgarh. She left behind a note citing exam stress and financial burden on her family. The incident occurred while she was alone in her room, with five backlog papers from the first semester. Her body was sent for a post-mortem and her father took her home.
Arjun Rampal, famous for his acting, surprised the public with his DJ skills at a Gurugram nightclub. Videos of his performance have gone viral. This is not his first time as a DJ, as he debuted in 2012 at the Formula One Indian Grand Prix after-party. His club LAP also has resident DJs.