Sai Pallavi says she kept herself ‘pure’, meditated to play Sita in Ramayana

Director Nitesh Tiwari praised Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi for their portrayals of Ram and Sita in the upcoming film "Ramayana," highlighting their sincerity. The two-part film, featuring a star-studded cast, premieres its first part on Diwali 2026. Sai Pallavi emphasized the challenges of embodying a goddess and her approach to the role. "Ramayana" is highly anticipated in India.

“Lack of motive”: Allahabad HC acquits man convicted in murders of wife, two sons

The Allahabad High Court acquitted Babu, convicted for the 2017 murders of his wife and two sons in Mathura, citing insufficient motive in circumstantial evidence. The court emphasized that without a compelling motive, convicting based solely on circumstantial evidence is unsafe. Babu was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2022 before this ruling overturned that decision.

Sonakshi Sinha speaks out against police whisking away Sonam Wangchuk. Watch

Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha urged protesters on July 20 to voice their concerns peacefully in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was taken to the hospital after a prolonged hunger strike. She emphasized the strength of unity, respect, and hope while condemning police actions. The protests focus on accountability in response to the NEET paper leak controversy.

Is Minecraft down? Thousands report issues with ‘authentication server’

Minecraft is down for thousands of players, with reports flooding in to Down Detector about the “authentication server not reachable” error message. This disruption affects gameplay and access to servers. The issue, classified as breaking news, highlights ongoing challenges within the game. Many users are left frustrated as they await a resolution from developer Mojang.

Leaving a lasting impression at Lord’s

India's women’s cricket team celebrated a historic Test victory at Lord’s, marking their third win against England. Highlights included Kranti Gaud and Yastika Bhatia's emotional moments writing their names on the honors board. The match reignited discussions on establishing a women’s World Test Championship, reflecting a promising future for women's cricket, underscored by India's evolving narrative in the sport.

Who is Josh Kerr? British runner breaks 27-year-old mile world record

British middle-distance runner Josh Kerr made history at the London Diamond League by breaking Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year-old men’s mile world record, clocking 3:42.66. Running in front of 60,000 fans, Kerr fulfilled his ambition, overcoming strong competition from Yared Nuguse. This achievement places him among the elite in athletics, securing his legacy alongside legends like Steve Cram.

Agarkar urged to be ‘upfront’ with Rohit Sharma: ‘Let him know where he stands’

Kris Srikkanth urged Ajit Agarkar to be clear with Rohit Sharma about his future in international cricket, following speculation that Rohit could play his last match on July 19. Despite reports, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed Rohit's continued involvement. Srikkanth criticized Rohit's recent performance, emphasizing the need for decisive communication from management as the 2027 World Cup approaches.

Messi versus Spain in an ultimate battle of the familiar

Lionel Messi leads Argentina in the World Cup final against Spain, a team reflecting his Barcelona legacy. Spain’s squad, heavily influenced by Barcelona's tactical philosophy, echoes the dominance seen from 2008-2012. While Messi defined this style at Barcelona, he now seeks to solidify his international legacy, having recently secured major titles with Argentina.

Spain are proof their system is still humming

Spain's football team approaches a pivotal moment in the World Cup, showcasing remarkable confidence and cohesion despite an initial scoreless draw against Cape Verde. With an unbeaten run and a commanding semi-final victory over France, Spain has redefined its style, excelling defensively and offensively, supported by a strong core of players. Their evolution reflects a united commitment to a shared vision of success.

CBSE Class 10 Second Board 2026 results out: Check steps to download marksheet

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the Class 10 Second Board Examination results for 2026 on Saturday, with students able to access their results via DigiLocker. To retrieve their digital marksheet, students must sign in, select the appropriate documents, and enter their necessary credentials. This system enables efficient access and storage of their academic records.

Exclusive | Shashwat Sachdev dedicates National Award to parents and guru

Composer Shashwat Sachdev unexpectedly won the National Award for Best Music Direction for "Article 370" while traveling abroad. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he credits his family and collaborators, particularly filmmaker Aditya Dhar, for their support. Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Sachdev sees the award as a collective achievement, dedicated to those who believed in him throughout his journey.

Who do Tom Holland and Zendaya play in The Odyssey? Their roles explained

Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey* reunites real-life couple Tom Holland and Zendaya, although their characters never interact, with Holland playing Telemachus and Zendaya as Athena. The film follows Odysseus’ journey home post-Trojan War. Holland’s Telemachus matures amidst suitors, while Zendaya’s Athena emotionally supports Odysseus, showing the story's deeper costs. Nolan cast Holland before inviting Zendaya, further bonding the couple.

CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 results declared

The CBSE has officially announced the results for the Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026, indicating a significant achievement for students nationwide. With an impressive overall pass rate of 92%, educational institutions are celebrating student performances. This year marked a departure from traditional examination practices, reflecting changes in the assessment framework aimed at enhancing academic rigor.

Sharma's real estate playbook: Luxury homes, premium addresses and rental income

Rohit Sharma has expanded his real estate portfolio with a recent purchase of a luxury sea-facing apartment in Ahuja Towers, Prabhadevi, for ₹26.30 crore. The 2,760.40 sq ft space, acquired by his wife Ritika Sajdeh, reflects their investment strategy in high-end properties for rental income, mirroring the trends among India's top cricketers. Sharma also successfully rents other properties.

5 things to know as Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi kick off Ramayana promotions

**Ramayana Heads to San Diego Comic-Con**: The film "Ramayana" will make its international debut at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, marking a significant milestone as only the second Indian film showcased there. With a budget of ₹4,000 crore, it features music by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman and is set for release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

NGT orders sealing of chromium-tainted wells in Odisha’s Sukinda

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Odisha government to permanently seal contaminated wells in Sukinda valley after alarming levels of hexavalent chromium were detected in groundwater, posing health risks. The study indicated that pollution was primarily natural, albeit exacerbated by chromite mining. NGT emphasized public health measures and inspections to mitigate risks in the region. Chromium is recognized as a potent carcinogen.

First drugged, then bitten by a snake: Inside the Meerut murder plot

In Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, a supposed accidental snakebite death of school operator Atul Kumar Panwar has been revealed as a premeditated murder. His wife, Damini, her lover Tushar, and two snake charmers were arrested after police found evidence of drugging and a venomous snake used to carry out the crime, fueled by a life insurance scheme.

In Srinagar, books drew bigger crowds than the summer heat could deter

The Chinar Book Festival, themed "Together We Read, Together We Lead," began in Srinagar, drawing large crowds eager for literary engagement. Featuring over 200 publishers, it includes diverse programs like author interactions and storytelling sessions to foster reading habits. Organised by the National Book Trust and local partners, the festival celebrates literature's transformative power, running until July 26.

Randeep Hooda recalls overcoming challenges during Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

The biopic *Swatantrya Veer Savarkar*, directed and co-written by Randeep Hooda, premiered in March 2024 and focuses on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's life. Randeep earned a National Film Award for Best Debut Director, expressing gratitude for his team's perseverance amid challenges. The film highlights Savarkar’s legacy, aiming to inspire future generations. Hooda previously faced creative conflicts with director Mahesh Manjrekar.

Gurgaon man says private jobs have changed countless middle-class lives

A Gurgaon man, Safal Sabharwal, advocates for young professionals to prioritize private jobs over traditional government employment, citing significant financial and career growth opportunities. In a viral Instagram video, he shares success stories of individuals who transformed their earnings from ₹10,000 to ₹1.5 lakh monthly in a few years, challenging outdated beliefs about job security.

Nagaland celebrates the World Cup: Mass screenings, mini-tournaments, flags, cut-outs

Nagaland fervently celebrates the FIFA World Cup, uniting communities across the state as families gather for mass screenings and local tournaments, displaying their passion for football. Legendary Dr. T. Ao's legacy fuels this enthusiasm, exemplified by events like the Phesama Mini World Cup. While football brings joy, there’s a call to foster a sustainable football culture in Nagaland beyond tournaments.

'Will resign within an hour if…': Abhishek throws challenge to TMC rebels

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee challenged former party members who switched to the BJP, stating he'd resign if they returned to Mamata Banerjee. He accused them of leaving for protection against legal troubles. Additionally, he claimed the demolition of the TMC office was politically driven and vowed to challenge it, asserting its legality. This reflects ongoing factional tensions within the party.

What made a Meta engineer move back to India after 18 years in the US?

Balaji Gururajan, a senior Meta engineering leader, recently returned to Bengaluru from the US after nearly two decades, prioritizing family over career. His heartfelt LinkedIn post emphasized the desire to be closer to his ageing parents and provide a nurturing environment for his children. Despite challenges in readjusting, he described the experience as humbling and rewarding, resonating with many in similar situations.

From oiling to washing: 7 monsoon haircare myths you should stop believing

Skipping conditioner during monsoon is a common myth; scalp oiliness does not equate to hair moisture. Dryness occurs regardless of scalp condition. Expert Navneet Misra explains that problems like hair fall, frizz, and dullness stem from structural issues in the hair. Myths about monsoon hair care need reevaluation to effectively address these root causes. This article aims to educate, not replace professional advice.

Exclusive| Srikanth director Tushar reacts to National Award win for Best Film

The 2024 Hindi biopic "Srikanth," directed by Tushar Hiranandani and starring Rajkummar Rao, won the Best Hindi Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards, celebrating the inspiring life of visually-impaired industrialist Srikanth Bolla. Hiranandani expressed joy and gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to his late in-laws and crediting his wife for her support during production.

What causes male infertility? Dr Sanjay Prakash J shares common factors…

Chronic stress, poor sleep, and unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive alcohol intake impair sperm production, highlighted urologist Dr. Sanjay Prakash J. Medical conditions, including varicocele and genetic disorders, also impact male fertility. Early evaluation is crucial for couples struggling to conceive and for men with risk factors, emphasizing the importance of proactive fertility discussions.

Randeep Hooda on winning National Award for best debut director

Actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda has won the National Award for Best Debut Director for his film *Swatantryaveer Savarkar*, which he describes as a deeply emotional milestone. He emphasized the challenges faced during production and the immense responsibility he felt in telling Savarkar's story. Hooda dedicated the award to his dedicated team, hoping to inspire future generations.

HC seeks women and child welfare director’s reply over delay in aid to children’s homes

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern about delays in non-recurring grants to NGO-run children's homes in Uttar Pradesh, ordering the director of women and child welfare to submit an affidavit detailing pending grants. This follows a 2008 PIL highlighting distressingly poor conditions at these homes. The next hearing is set for August 10, 2026.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms likely across UP; orange alert issued

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall across Uttar Pradesh until July 21, forecasting temperatures to decrease by 4-6°C. A yellow alert extends to southern districts until July 24. Recent rainfall totals are high, with Gorakhpur recording 141.6 mm. The state faces a 29% overall rainfall deficit, with East UP particularly affected.

Argentina can join Italy and Brazil; Messi can win another another Ballon d'Or

Defending champions Argentina face Spain for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy on Sunday. If Argentina wins, they would join Italy and Brazil as the only teams to win back-to-back titles. Historically, they’ve faced disappointments in return finals, mirroring trends of other nations. Messi seeks a second World Cup victory to bolster his Ballon d'Or hopes with eight goals this tournament.