Saturday, June 27, 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026
Ecuador Coach Jumps Into Stands After Win Over Germany, Celebration Is Viral
Ecuador head coach Sebastian Beccacece shared a heartwarming moment with his family during La Tri's FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Germany. The emotional scene unfolded after Gonzalo Plata scored Ecuador's second goal in the 77th minute, which proved decisive in the end for the South American nation. The goal not only earned Beccacece's men a huge result over the four-time champions, but also boosted Ecuador's chances of qualifying for the Round of 32. Born in Rosario, Argentina, Beccacece hung up his boots at just 21 years old after realising a career as a top-tier footballer was out of reach.
After Plata scored from close range, Beccacece ran towards the stands and climbed up to greet his family. The 45-year-old was warmly embraced by his loved ones as he reached the railing.
Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece sprinted into the stands to celebrate with his family after Gonzalo Plata's winning goal against Germany.
— Elite Football (@Elitefootball__) June 26, 2026
Pure emotion Football means everything pic.twitter.com/p6UMTYBVI9
"We came to life to feel," Beccacece said through an interpreter after the 2-1 victory over an opponent that was heavily favored but already assured of first place in the group. "Sometimes we feel the pain of defeat but sometimes also the satisfaction of a victory. What is important is to strike a balance. This will not change my life. It will not. But we must indulge ourselves in this joy."
The Argentina-born coach said he has fallen in love with Ecuador since taking the job and took joy in the style of his players making the country fall in love with them as a team. He also said there are things bigger than soccer in this world and that prioritizing family was most important.
"It's all about understanding that life brings about these moments that you can share with your family, with your man, with your mom, with your sister, with your friends," Beccacece said. "My dad is missing. He's watching us from above. But, anyway, I think we need to celebrate these moments. I'm thinking of the Ecuadorian people, 19 million people celebrating hugging each other, having a beer and celebrating this historical victory."
If not for Plata's left-footed shot into the net after a header by Kevin Rodriguez off a corner kick from Pedro Vite, Ecuador was in danger of going home. A loss would have meant certain elimination, but even a draw would have made it mathematically near impossible to reach the round of 32.
Rodriguez was subbed into the game by Beccacece in the 64th minute and provided just the spark needed with the assist in the 77th. Beccacece called beating Germany a tipping point but did not want to be satisfied with only moving on.
He set the expectations even higher.
"Ecuador never got to the quarterfinals," Beccacece said. "It would be beautiful if we qualified for the quarterfinal, wouldn't it? Why not? Well, we work for that. I wish that we can do that as this team and these people deserve that."
(With AP Inputs)
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Thursday, June 25, 2026
Passport Travel Document, Not Proof of Citizenship: External Affairs Ministry
Amid growing public confusion over the use of passports as proof of citizenship and eligibility for government benefits, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is strictly a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.
The clarification came during a detailed briefing on India's rapidly expanding passport and mobility ecosystem, which highlighted major reforms aimed at making passports more accessible, secure and globally accepted while facilitating overseas employment and international travel for millions of Indians.
Officials stressed that while passports are issued to Indian citizens, the document's primary purpose is to enable international travel and establish identity abroad. Questions have earlier been raised about other documents as proof of citizenship, including Aadhaar and Voter ID cards.
The government also showcased significant improvements in passport services, with processing times now reduced to as little as five working days in many cases. According to officials, applicants are spending less than 45 minutes at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), reflecting the impact of technology-driven reforms and streamlined procedures.
A major milestone highlighted during the briefing was the nationwide rollout of chip-enabled e-passports. Since May last year, all newly issued Indian passports have been embedded with secure electronic chips containing biometric information and security features compliant with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The move is expected to strengthen document security, reduce fraud and improve acceptance at international border checkpoints.
India's passport service network has also witnessed dramatic growth. From a limited footprint a decade ago, the network now comprises 545 passport service centres across the country, representing a six-fold expansion. The government plans to open 20 additional Passport Seva Kendras this year, with the objective of ensuring that at least one passport facility is available in every Lok Sabha constituency by 2027.
Officials noted that the passport network now covers nearly every parliamentary constituency, with only around 30 districts yet to receive a dedicated centre. Special mobile passport teams have also been deployed to remote and difficult-to-access regions, while dedicated outreach camps conducted last year helped issue passports to nearly 300,000 people in underserved areas.
Despite these gains, passport penetration remains relatively low. Only about 10 per cent of India's population currently possesses a passport. The government said expanding access to travel documents remains a priority as international mobility becomes increasingly important for education, employment and business opportunities.
The MEA also highlighted India's growing global mobility partnerships. The country has signed 27 mobility agreements with 25 nations, including major destinations such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia and several Gulf countries. These arrangements are designed to facilitate smoother movement for students, apprentices, researchers, professionals and business travellers.
Visa access for Indian passport holders has improved steadily, with 27 countries currently offering visa-free entry. An additional 47 countries provide visas on arrival, while 66 nations extend e-visa facilities to Indian travellers.
On overseas employment, officials said the upgraded eMigrate 2.0 platform has significantly improved the emigration clearance process. Since its launch in October 2022, nearly 700,000 Indian workers have obtained emigration clearance through the portal. Randomised processing systems introduced in 17 passport offices have further enhanced transparency and reduced delays.
The government is also focusing on worker welfare. Pre-departure orientation programmes now provide country-specific cultural training and job-related skills to workers heading overseas.
Next week, India will host a major Human Resource Mobility Forum involving Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and Denmark to connect skilled Indian workers with ethical employers abroad.
Additional support mechanisms have been established for vulnerable overseas Indians. One-stop support centres for distressed Indian women, offering legal assistance and psychological counselling, are now operational in Gulf countries and Singapore. These initiatives are backed by the Indian Community Welfare Fund.
Officials said the government's broader objective is to transform the passport from a privilege held by a small section of the population into an accessible travel document for millions more Indians, while ensuring that international migration remains safe, orderly and beneficial for both workers and destination countries.
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Woman Churns Ice Cream Using Ceiling Fan, Internet Salutes Her "Desi Jugaad"
In India, people have a special word to describe the ingenious methods they develop to solve problems; that is 'jugaad'. While the term is hard to translate, it describes a smart way of making the best of what you have to deal with the situation. In a latest Instagram reel, a Gujarat-based content creator proved that when it comes to jugaad, no one does it better than Indians.
The woman named Hetal Barvadiya shared a video on her page where she made creamy, homemade ice cream by simply utilising a ceiling fan to churn the mixture, redefining the limits of DIY kitchen hacks.
Gujarat Woman Uses A Ceiling Fan To Churn Ice Cream
Staying true to her DIY-loving persona, the woman caught attention online for her creativity in making ice cream without using a freezer. The video opened with her heating the milk and mixing ice cream pre-mix into it. She then added sugar and continued mixing in a large vessel. Once everything was well combined, she let the mixture cool down for some time.
Then her technique of churning the ice cream left everyone surprised. After transferring the mixture into a container with a lid, she placed it in a tub filled with ice and salt. She then tied a rope to the ceiling fan and attached the other end to the container lid. Once everything was done, she switched the fan on and let it slowly churn the mixture while she carried on with her daily work. After some time she switched off the fan, and the outcome was perfectly churned, creamy homemade ice cream that looks too good to miss.
Also Read: Why South Korea's Gen Z Is Hooked On Fake Food Apps That Never Deliver Orders
The Internet Lauds Her Creativity
Soon after sharing, the video garnered massive attention from the internet and received 2.2 million likes so far. “Desi jugaad for the win,” one user wrote.
“That is epic,” another commented. “As someone who has invested in useless ice cream makers over the years, I am so jealous I didn't think of this,” someone else added.
"Have more ice cream? No! Havell's ice cream," an individual joked, while another added, “Fridge left the chat.”
Also Read: Wimbledon Brings 'Strawberries And Cream' To Delhi With 120-Year-Old Kulfi Shop
One of the users appreciated the woman's efforts and techniques of making ice cream in the traditional way and wrote, 'Those who are saying to use the fridge don't get that creamy texture that ice cream has just by freezing it.' This is the authentic method for making ice cream that gives the creamy texture (as she has shown).”
What do you think about the video? Would you try this ice cream? Let us know in the comments!
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Wednesday, June 24, 2026
IRDAI Receives First Wave Of Applications Under 100% Insurance FDI Regime: Sources
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has received its first 3-4 formal applications from global insurance companies seeking joint venture (JV) setups and complete ownership approvals, sources told NDTV Profit. The influx of applications follows the historic operationalization of the 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) policy in the insurance sector earlier this year.
The removal of the previous 74% investment cap has ignited intense interest from premier global players looking to tap into one of the world's fastest-growing, yet vastly underpenetrated, insurance markets. However, IRDAI cross-holding norms dictate that Prudential Plc. must reduce its stake in its long-standing venture, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (where it currently holds roughly 22%), down to below 10% before the Bharti Life acquisition can clear. Prudential is in discussions with authorities to navigate a reasonable divestment window, with plans to reinvest the proceeds directly into its new Indian growth initiatives.
ALSO READ: Insurance Market In India Likely To Grow At 10.7% Annually Over Next Decade: Report
The pivot to a 100% FDI automatic route has altered the power dynamics between domestic promoters and global insurance heavyweights. Industry analysts anticipate significant ownership overhauls and a wave of restructuring across the entire insurance landscape during this current financial year. More global insurers are likely to announce India JV, acquisitions in the coming quarters.
Increasingly, Indian corporate promoters are exploring strategic exits or reducing their exposures, paving the way for foreign partners who demand complete operational control, localized product customization, and the deployment of advanced global risk-modeling systems. With IRDAI actively processing this initial batch of filings, sources confirm that other multi-national insurers are expected to officially announce fresh Indian joint ventures, capital expansions, and outright corporate acquisitions in the coming quarters.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2026
France vs Iraq FIFA WC 2026 Game Suspended Due To Severe Weather Alert
The World Cup match between France and Iraq was suspended at half-time on Monday due to a severe weather alert, as fans were told to take shelter from an approaching thunderstorm. A FIFA official said the game in Philadelphia, which kicked off at 2100 GMT, would be delayed for at least half an hour, including the scheduled 15-minute half-time break. France were leading 1-0 at the interval in the Group I contest thanks to a Kylian Mbappe goal in the 14th minute. The match kicked off in dry conditions before rain began to fall late in the first half, and supporters were told as soon as the half-time whistle was blown to "exit the open seating area and seek shelter in covered areas of the stadium".
The vast majority of the 68,324-capacity Lincoln Financial Field, renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament, is uncovered -- leaving most of the capacity crowd to pack into the concourses.
It is the first match of this World Cup to be delayed by the threat of severe weather, with strict protocols in place in the United States when a storm is detected in the surrounding area.
Several games at last year's Club World Cup in the US were held up because of bad weather.
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Trisha Shares Birthday Post For Vijay: 'The Person Who Makes It All Worth It'
Just hours after fans wondered why Trisha Krishnan had not wished Vijay on his birthday, the actor put all rumours to rest with a special Instagram post dedicated to the actor.
Trisha posted a candid photograph of Vijay seated in front of several birthday cakes. While the actor is seen smiling as he prepares to blow out the candles, Trisha looks at him affectionately.
Sharing the adorable moment, she wrote, "To the person who makes it all worth it, HBD. 00.00."
Her post quickly grabbed attention online, with fans flooding the comments section with love and warm wishes for the duo.
Earlier, social media had been abuzz with speculation that Trisha had unfollowed Vijay on Instagram. While some fans claimed that she had recently removed him from her following list, others pointed out that she may never have followed him on the platform in the first place.
Trisha's Birthday Posts For Vijay Over The Years
Vijay celebrated his 52nd birthday on June 22.
In 2025, Trisha shared a candid photograph of Vijay with a pet dog and wrote, "Happy Birthday bestest".
A year earlier, she posted an elevator selfie with the actor and captioned it, "The calm to a storm, The storm to a calm! To many more milestones ahead".
In 2023, she kept things simple by sharing a photograph of the two against a snowy backdrop and writing, "HBD".
Vijay And Trisha's Movies
Vijay and Trisha are regarded as one of Tamil cinema's most popular on-screen pairs. They have shared screen space in several successful films, including Ghilli, Thirupaachi, Aathi, Kuruvi, and, most recently, Leo.
About Their Relationship
In recent months, Vijay and Trisha have frequently been the subject of online speculation regarding their personal relationship. Despite ongoing rumours, neither actor has publicly addressed these claims.
Their close friendship has long been a topic of online discussion, with some users alleging a relationship between the two. Recently, after details from Vijay's divorce filings became public, sections of social media once again connected the actor with Trisha. Some political figures have also referred to the alleged relationship while criticising Vijay.
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Monday, June 22, 2026
Taiwanese Brothers Amass $1 Billion From Boom In Display Chips
Biing-seng Wu has spent most of his career developing tiny chips that tell pixels on flat-screen displays how and when to light up. Twenty-five years ago, he teamed up with his brother Jordan Wu to develop such chips for screens. Today, products from their company, Himax Technologies Inc., can be found in everything from Lamborghinis to smartwatches, and have turned the duo into billionaires.
The brothers own 24% of Himax, whose US-listed shares have more than doubled in value this year. Their stake in the Tainan, Taiwan-based firm, as well as proceeds from dividends and stock sales, give them a combined $1 billion net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is valuing them for the first time.
The wealth marks a big milestone for the siblings and their company, which says it holds a 40% market share for display chips - known in the industry as driver integrated circuits - used in cars. Its customers include Ferrari NV, Volkswagen AG, Porsche and more.
It's "not the kind of chip that grabs headlines the way an AI processor does," said Charles Shum, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. "But without it, you'd be staring at a blank screen."
In a rare interview in 2022, Jordan told a Taiwanese news outlet that Himax made a bet on car display chips about two decades earlier, even though few automobiles had screens back then and Himax's resources were limited.
Today, "there are very few automakers that don't use our products in some form," he said. "Looking back, it was nothing short of a miracle."
Those early investments helped Himax build a competitive edge, Himax spokeswoman Karen Tiao said in a text message. The company's current bet on smart glasses, AI and co-packaged optics - a technology that could help data centers handle soaring bandwidth demand while consuming less power - is an extension of that, she said.
The brothers, who declined to be interviewed, aren't the only Taiwanese to reach billionaire status as the island becomes a tech powerhouse during an industry boom. The number of billionaires in Taiwan rose 9% to 51 last year, according to the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025. That's more than Japan's 41 and 31 in South Korea, the report said.
Banker, Scientist
Biing-seng, 69, got a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University in 1985. He served at the Industrial Technology Research Institute, a government-backed entity meant to boost the tech sector, where he led Taiwan's early efforts to develop TFT-LCDs, a kind of flat-screen display. He later helped launch Taiwan's first manufacturing plant for those products.
Around three decades ago, Biing-seng met the founder of Chimei Corp., a Taiwanese conglomerate, to pitch him on a new venture. He later joined Chimei Optoelectronics, helping it become one of Taiwan's leading display makers.
Jordan, 66, got an MBA from the University of Rochester and worked as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and Barclays Plc before getting into the tech sector.
The brothers founded Himax in 2001, using their own money before taking in some venture capital. A few Chimei employees joined them at the startup. Chimei became an early customer.
In 2013, Alphabet Inc., then known as Google, acquired a 6% stake in its subsidiary Himax Display Inc.
Today Himax has 2,200 employees, of whom it says more than 90% are engineers, and offices in Taiwan, China, South Korea and the US. It's a so-called fabless company, meaning it outsources the manufacturing of its chips.
In a 2022 speech at his alma mater, Biing-seng, who remains Himax's chairman, shared some of the secrets of his success: Learning is the most important thing. Sleep well. Maintain good physical strength. Wait for the right opportunity to start a business. Seek advice from experts.
"I'm always afraid of being overtaken," he said. "So I have no choice but to keep running forward."
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Sunday, June 21, 2026
FIFA WC Live: Iran Face Belgium Amid 'Mistreatment' Allegations From Manager
Belgium vs Iran LIVE Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium and Iran square off in a must-win clash at the Los Angeles Stadium, knowing victory is vital to keeping their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout dreams alive. While Belgium were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Egypt in their Group G opener, Iran showed immense grit to rescue a point against New Zealand after trailing twice. This marks only the second senior men's international meeting between the two nations, following Belgium's narrow 1-0 group-stage victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. (MATCH CENTRE LIVE)
Belgium vs Iran LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE Updates | BEL vs IRN LIVE, straight from Los Angeles Stadium:
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Saturday, June 20, 2026
Mumbai To Finally Get Proper Monsoon Rains From June 22? Check IMD Forecast
After days of hot and humid weather, Mumbai is likely to see a significant change in conditions from Monday (June 22) onwards, with rainfall activity expected to increase across the city.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience hot and humid conditions along with the possibility of light rain or thundershowers till June 20. However, weather conditions are forecast to become more active from June 21, with light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms likely in several areas. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places on June 22 and June 23.
Mumbai and Konkan region are likely to witness a noticeable shift in weather patterns over the next 48 hours. Increased moisture inflow is expected to strengthen rain activity from Sunday night, leading to more widespread showers across the region.
So finally Mumbai & Konkan will undergo a weather change next 48 hours (21-22 June). Starting Sunday night, the moisture pull will begin showing its effects over #MumbaiRains increasing rain activity across the region.
— Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) June 19, 2026
This is the news rain lovers have been waiting for.. a very… pic.twitter.com/yWtEh2OYoD
Rainfall Likely To Intensify Beyond Mumbai
Meanwhile, neighbouring districts are also expected to witness a gradual increase in rainfall activity over the coming days. Palghar, Thane and Raigad are likely to experience hot and humid conditions along with light rain or thundershowers until June 20. Rainfall is expected to intensify from June 21 onwards, with light to moderate showers forecast across the region.
Mumbai Water Crisis
Amid a delayed monsoon and water shortages in parts of Mumbai, water tanker prices have surged after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cut water supply across several areas. Currently, non-potable water costs Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1500-1800 per 10,000 litres, up 10-30%. Potable water costs Rs 2,500-3,500 from Rs 2300-3300 per 10,000 litres, a 6-25% hike.
ALSO READ: Mumbai Water Tanker Prices Surge Up To 30% Amid Water Shortage, Delayed Monsoon
According to the latest data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on June 20, water level in Mumbai lakes have dipped below 10% with current live storage denoting 9% useful content of live storage left on June 20. Total water storage across the lakes has dipped by over 60% as compared to last year
ALSO READ: Only 9% Water Left In Mumbai Lakes; Will Upcoming Monsoon Rains Be Enough?
Monsoon Likely to Advance Further In Maharashtra
Weather conditions are becoming favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra around June 23, according to the latest forecast. The development is expected to bring increased rainfall activity across several regions of the state in the coming days.
Rainfall Activity Expected To Increase
The weather department has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada between June 20 and June 25. Konkan is also likely to witness increased rain activity over the next few days.
Parts of Madhya Maharashtra may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph between June 22 and June 25.
Temperatures Likely To Dip After June 20
While no significant change in daytime temperatures is expected across Maharashtra until June 20, the IMD has forecast a gradual drop of 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter.
Hot and Humid Conditions very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in the districts of South Konkan-Goa.
— Regional Meteorological Center,Mumbai (@RMC_Mumbai) June 19, 2026
Heat wave conditions very likely to prevails at isolated pockets in the districts of North Konkan , Madhya Maharashtra , Marathwada .
Southwest Monsoon 2026 Update
As per IMD's latest weather bulletin, the Northern Limit of Monsoon continues to pass through 18°N/60°E, 18°N/65°E, 18°N/70°E, Harnai, Solapur, Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam, Koraput, Phulbani, Ranchi, Jamui, Muzaffarpur and 28.3°N/83°E.
Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, remaining parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand & Bihar, and some parts of Chhattisgarh during next 4-5 days
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Portfolio careers fuel India's gig economy
New Delhi: India's independent consulting or white-collar gig economy is witnessing a structural shift, with professionals increasingly opting for portfolio careers and companies turning to external experts to drive transformation projects, according to the latest data from talent marketplace platform Flexing It.The rise is being driven by younger professionals: nearly 40% of consultants joining the platform in FY26 had between three and eight years of experience compared with about 30% in FY25.Also Read: NCW issues advisory to States, calls for mandatory POSH audits and robust workplace safety mechanisms nationwideThe number of professionals registering as independent consultants has grown nearly 290% since 2022, with monthly additions rising from around 1,500 in FY24 to about 3,000 in FY25 and crossing 5,000 in FY26.131881482"Independent consulting is no longer something professionals ease into later in their careers," said Chandrika Pasricha, founder and CEO, Flexing It. "Nearly 40% of new consultants on our platform in FY26 have between three to eight years of experience-this generation is choosing independent work early and by design, drawn by the speed at which they can build diverse skills and garner high-impact experience outside a traditional career track."At the other end of the spectrum, around one in five new registrations over the past two years came from professionals with more than 15 years of experience. Many are taking up roles as advisors, interim leaders and transformation specialists, allowing them to work across multiple organisations."Over a third of projects on our platform are now led by experienced professionals-and that's no accident. Senior talent is making a deliberate choice, drawn by the freedom to work on their own terms and the ability to build a portfolio of high-impact engagements. That's changing how organisations access leadership," she said.Also Read: Death of the CV - AI is making soft skills the new hiring currencyFlexing It's network now includes more than 120,000 independent consultants and domain experts.On the demand side, companies are increasingly embedding flexible talent into their workforce strategies. The demand for independent consultants witnessed 60% growth in FY26 compared with FY24.Technology remains the largest category of demand, accounting for 21% of projects in FY26, although its share has moderated as companies increasingly seek expertise across functions such as human resources, supply chain, finance and strategy, research shows.Supply chain emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas, with demand rising 61% year-on-year as companies sought external expertise to strengthen procurement strategies, improve logistics networks and build resilience amid shifting global trade dynamics.The shift is visible across industries. Industrial and manufacturing companies emerged as the largest consumers of independent talent, accounting for 30% of project demand in FY26, up from 26% a year earlier. The growth was driven by automation, sustainability initiatives and operational transformation. Consulting firms increased their demand to 20% from 14% a year earlier, as they assembled external teams for client engagements. Demand from diversified conglomerates also rose sharply.
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Friday, June 19, 2026
Review: Samantha Is Undoubtedly Maa Inti Bangaaram's Biggest Strength
South actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu is back on the silver screen after three years with director Nandini Reddy's Maa Inti Bangaaram (Our family treasure).
She was last seen in Kushi and Shaantakulam in 2023 and is now back as Swarna, the Pedda Kodalu (elder daughter-in-law), a small town housewife with a mysterious past.
After the success of Oh! Baby in 2019, Samantha and Nandini Reddy have joined hands once again for this project.
At the outset, we meet Dr Anirudh (Diganth) and his young wife Swarna (Samantha), who are trying to endear themselves to Anirudh's conservative family post their marriage.
Swarna, who's not accepted by Ani's family - especially his politician father - desperately tries to fulfil the family's expectations by any means.
She tries to mould herself along the lines of the traditional younger daughter-in-law Anasuya, be it religious rituals or cooking.
However, Anasuya is not convinced that the elder daughter-in-law is all that she claims to be.
In Swarna's desperation, she makes gaffes,, but as the family starts to warm up, her past, in the form of the villainous murderer Karuna (Gulshan Devaiah), starts to catch up with her. What does Swarna's past involve? How is she connected to Karuna, who has escaped from prison? Does she manage to protect herself and her new family?
Maa Inti Bangaram is a Samantha film all the way, and she is the biggest strength of this film.
The movie rests solely on her shoulders and her performance, ranging from humour to action to emotions, is a pleasure to watch on screen. She switches from comedy to vulnerability to fear and throws a punch quite effortlessly.
Director Nandini Reddy has clearly understood Samantha's strengths as an actor and has tailor-made this role for her.
Given the fact that Samantha has a petite frame, even the physicality of the role has been tailored for her.
The characterisation of Swarna as a simple saree-clad housewife who can take on rowdies in an instant adds more allure to the role as well. The Oh! Baby actress has nailed the role like a pro, and one just can't fault her performance in any way.
Director Nandini Reddy had spoken about reversing the hero-with-a-past template for Maa Inti Bangaram, and she has done precisely that.
The movie revolves around Samantha, who is the hero of the film, and the women-centric film gives a good platform for most of its female characters, be it Sreemukhi (Anasuya) or Manjusha Mukkavilli (Kiranmayi).
The director has also ensured that the movie has plenty of family drama, humour and action that will appeal to the mainstream audience.
In the first half, we are introduced to the various characters, and it proceeds at a brisk pace thanks to the lively screenplay and humour. The interactions between the family members are highly nuanced and authentic, and one immediately connects to those moments. The scenes between Anasuya and Swarna and between Swarna and Kiranmayi are some highlights in the first half.
When we get to the second half, Karuna comes in full force and action scenes start to play out here. Swarna's secret past starts to unravel, but predictability also sets in. The emotional quotient is much higher, and the director tries to draw on that to keep the audience engaged and invested.
What is perhaps the film's biggest drawback is the backstory between the villain Karuna and Swarna. The Karuna-Swarna thread lacks the emotional depth to make the conflict between them highly impactful. Had the director given us a stronger and more emotional conflict between the antagonist and protagonist, the film would have been elevated several notches.
All the supporting artists in the film like Sreemukhi, Manjusha, Gautami and Diganth are solid, while Gulshan Devaiah gives us a quiet, composed villain who is simmering and dangerous in Karuna.
With regard to the technical aspects, the production has not been compromised in any way. Music director Santhosh Narayanan captures the mood of the film effectively using instruments ranging from drums to the guitar and the Veena to capture the emotions on screen. Cinematography by Om Prakash is truly visually appealing, especially in the family home portions of the movie.
Ultimately, Maa Inti Bangaaram is about a woman's love for her family, her strengths and how she will rise to the occasion when her loved ones are threatened. Samantha showcases her talent and star power in the film, while Nandini Reddy gives you an authentic entertainer, though it doesn't reinvent the wheel. As Swarna says in the film, "Let's come on" - and the film does exactly that, giving women-centric cinema a big boost.
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Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tilak, Siraj Issued Legal Notice For Association With "Illegal" League
The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has issued legal notices to actors Vijay Deverakonda and Venkatesh Daggubati, along with cricketers Mohammed Siraj, Ambati Rayudu and Tilak Varma, over their reported association with the proposed TG20 League, alleging that the tournament is being conducted without mandatory approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Speaking to ANI, TCA General Secretary Gurava Reddy said the association has objected to celebrities endorsing what it described as an "illegal" and "unapproved" league being organised by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
"Today, the Telangana Cricket Association has sent legal notices to Vijay Deverakonda, Venkatesh Daggubati, international cricketer Siraj, former cricketer Ambati Rayudu and Tilak Varma, questioning their association with the tainted and illegal TG20 League proposed to be conducted by the Hyderabad Cricket Association," Reddy told ANI.
According to the notice, the TCA has alleged that the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is conducting business with corporate entities without BCCI authorisation and that promoting the proposed TG20 League without such approval amounts to an offence. The association has raised concerns over the league's regulatory status and the potential implications of celebrity endorsements.
"The Hyderabad Cricket Association, conducting the TG20 league, has changed its name in due course from Telangana Premier League to TTL, then to the TG20 Premier League, and now TG20. They say they have some prefix, some names, some sponsors' names now, but basically they do not have two primary mandates to conduct any franchise-based Premier League at the state level. All the BCCI members should adopt two rules: Rule number 28. The governing council, which is supposed to conduct and organise this league, has to be elected by the association's general body in an annual general meeting, and the chairman of this league — it is mandatory that the chairman of the league should be elected by the general body of the association — which did not happen," he added.
Reddy said the TCA would move court if the celebrities continued to be associated with the tournament.
"Hyderabad Cricket Association wants to overcome the lack of legality and compliance by using celebrities and misleading stakeholders. That is why we are objecting. We have sent notices and will also file legal suits against them if they continue to associate with this league," he said.
Reddy stated that the BCCI had directed the HCA in 2021 to collaborate with the TCA for the development of cricket outside Hyderabad city, but alleged that the directive was not implemented.
As of now, neither Vijay Deverakonda nor Venkatesh has publicly responded to the legal notices or the allegations made by the TCA.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Virat Carries Son Akaay On Shoulder During London Outing With Anushka
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have embraced a quieter life in London, away from the bustle of Mumbai. Recently the power couple were seen spending quality time with their son, Akaay, during an outing in a London park. The picture winning the internet's heart shows Virat carrying Akaay on his shoulder. In other photos, the couple are seen interacting with friends in the park.
For the outing, they opted for comfortable outfits. Anushka wore a striped shirt paired with loose-fitting trousers. Virat complemented the laid-back vibe in beige pants and a black shirt.
Virat & Anushka 🫶 https://t.co/nHvo3FWyq6 pic.twitter.com/TccpQG1yiW
— ` (@mostlywhom) June 16, 2026
The pictures emerged after the couple met a fan in Ahmedabad last week. An employee at the Taj Hotel shared photos with the couple and posted images of handwritten notes from them, thanking staff for their hospitality. The notes read, “To Ashi, thank you for all the help. Best wishes from us,” and were signed by both Virat and Anushka. The post has drawn praise online as a thoughtful gesture. One user wrote, “Power couple,” while another commented, “Madam ji ki to life ban gayi.”
Earlier this month, the couple visited Premanand Maharaj's Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan and sought his blessings after winning the IPL trophy. Several photos from their visit circulated on social media, showing Virat and Anushka leaving the ashram after meeting the spiritual guru.
Dressed simply, the couple kept their faces covered with masks. Frequent visitors to Vrindavan, Virat and Anushka often seek Premanand Maharaj's guidance to navigate life beyond fame and success.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have been married since 2017. They are parents to a son, Akaay, and a daughter, Vamika.
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Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Box Office: Main Vaapas Aaunga Earns More On First Monday Than Opening Day
Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga, fronted by film veteran Naseeruddin Shah, surprisingly minted a few lakhs more on its first Monday than on its opening day. The film's gross collections in India stand at Rs 8.10 crore, with net collections of Rs 6.75 crore.
Breaking down the numbers
On Monday, the film earned Rs 1.25 crore across 2,139 shows.
The film earned Rs 1.15 crore on Friday, Rs 1.85 crore on Saturday, and Rs 2.50 crore on Sunday, according to Sacnilk.
Praise for the film
Filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap and Anubhav Sinha showered praise on the film.
Zoya Akhtar wrote on her Instagram Stories, "Congratulations to beautiful people for the beautiful film Main Vaapas Aaunga."
Congratulating ex-wife Aarti Bajaj for editing, Anurag Kashyap kept his message short and simple: "Congratulations champion."
Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha wrote, "Imtiaz, my friend, so so so happy to see Main Vaapas Aaunga. In times when film directors, for various reasons, are getting ruthlessly stripped of the most vital virtue of their art form, every frame of your film is soaked in that very virtue. BELIEF!!!"
Main Vaapas Aaunga marks the second collaboration between Imtiaz Ali and Diljit Dosanjh after their 2024 Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila. It also reunites the director with composer A. R. Rahman and lyricist Irshad Kamil, the trio behind acclaimed soundtracks for films such as Rockstar, Tamasha, Highway and Amar Singh Chamkila.
Imtiaz Ali's take on partition and the classic love story in this film opens a floodgate of emotions, turbulence and conflict that have tormented many generations.
Also Read | Main Vaapas Aaunga, Ikkis And The Partition Tales Of 'Missing' Women
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Monday, June 15, 2026
Pak Board Launches Massive Crackdown on Players Skipping Domestic Cricket
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has warned the country's cricketers that they will not be handed central contracts if they do not play domestic events, as the board unveiled a radical formula for the annual payments, a news report said on Monday. The new central contract model for 2026 replaced the traditional A, B, C, D categories with five format-based tracks, which the Pakistan Cricket Board claimed was a “world-first” structure in cricket, according to a report in Telecom Asia Sport.
Pakistan's recent fall in Tests has prompted former players to suggest to the PCB that it make it mandatory for players to participate in domestic cricket, especially the first-class four-day matches, as it will help groom players for international challenges.
Pakistan finished ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) and lags eighth in the fourth cycle after a humiliating 2-0 defeat in Bangladesh, followed by a defeat at the same margin to the same team in 2024.
Pakistan's performances in the International Cricket Council (ICC) events are also poor as they crashed out of the T20I World Cup 2024, ODI World Cup 2023, and the Champions Trophy 2025 in the first round.
Pakistan also failed to qualify for the semi-final of the T20I World Cup this year. “To lift our standards, we want all the top players to compete in domestic cricket, and those who do not feature in first-class events will not get the central contracts,” said Naqvi, according to the report in www.telecomasia.net.
The new formula is also backed by Pakistan's white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who said impactful performances will now be given more weightage. “This is a data-driven formula, and it will give players with impactful performances their rightful value,” said Hesson.
The top format, named Track AB, will be for those who play Tests and ODIs, while Track A will be for dedicated Test-playing cricketers.
“Those who play Tests only will be given added incentives and permission to play overseas first-class cricket to strengthen red-ball development,” said Aqib Javed, the director of High Performance. “The new framework aims to protect Test cricket and bring more transparency and fairness to contract decisions.”
Similarly, Track BC will be for white-ball specialists (ODI & T20I) while Track C will be for T20I & Franchise specialists.
The players who undergo development at the High Performance academy will get a Track D contract.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Sunday, June 14, 2026
Why Somali Referee, Refused Entry Into USA, Will Get Full FIFA WC Payment
The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month. Artan is one of soccer's top officials and was named Africa's best male referee in 2025. But the Somali national was denied entry after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul last week.
US Customs and Border Protection said Artan was “inadmissible due to vetting concerns”.
He had originally been issued a visa to travel to the US, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which processed it, and was due to meet up with other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.
FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration processes and that the host government ultimately determines who is granted entry. As a result it said Artan would not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup.
The 34-year-old Artan was given a hero's welcome when he returned to Somalia earlier this week and vowed to attend the next edition of the World Cup — mainly staged in Morocco, Portugal and Spain - in 2030. He was also appointed to officiate one of European soccer's showcase games, the UEFA Super Cup in August.
“Football is made to connect people and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills,” UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said in a statement.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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FIFA World Cup LIVE: Curacao Stun Germany, Score 1st-Ever World Cup Goal | GER 1-1 CUW
Germany vs Curacao LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany have taken an early lead against Curacao in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match in Houston today. Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha scored an excellent goal from the edge of the box in the sixth minute, after some lovely build-up play. Germany are leading 1-0 against Curacao after 10 minutes in the first half. It is the first match of the tournament for four-time winners Germany, who are aiming to bounce back after group stage exits in the last two editions. It is also a historic day for Curacao. 82nd in the FIFA rankings, Curacao are playing their first-ever World Cup match. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has chosen Manuel Neuer as his goalkeeper, while both Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are starting. (MATCH CENTRE LIVE)
Germany vs Curacao LIVE Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE Score, straight from Houston:
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One From The Archives: Aamir Khan And Team In A Lagaan Throwback
It's been 25 years since Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan hit the theatres on June 15 and went on to claim several accolades.
The film, which stars Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Yashpal Sharma and British actress Rachel Shelley in the lead roles, not only won eight National Awards at home but also earned an Oscar nomination in 2002.
Its story, which is set in the pre-independence era is still loved and appreciated by movie buffs.
What's Happening
- In 2023, Aamir Khan Productions dropped some “nostalgic throwback” pictures of the cast and crew making Lagaan “an iconic part of Indian cinema.”
- The album starts with a photo of Aamir Khan posing with director Ashutosh Gowariker, as well as co-stars Aditya Lakhia, Yashpal, Rajendranath Zutshi and Daya Shankar Pandey, among others.
- They are all seen dressed in their costumes. The following snaps show Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, Suhasini Mulay, Pradeep Rawat and Akhilendra Mishra chilling in between the shots.
- The impressive cast of Lagaan also had thespians such as Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajendra Gupta, Raghubir Yadav and Rajesh Vivek.
- The caption read: “A nostalgic throwback to Lagaan as we celebrate its 22-year milestone, reliving the moments that made it an iconic part of the Indian cinema. (red heart icon).”
Take a look:
Background
Lagaan, which was shot in Gujarat, shows the story of a small village burdened not just by drought but also by the heavy taxes imposed on them by the British Crown. When given an opportunity to get out of the tax spiral, the villagers agree to play a game of cricket with British army officers as a wager.
Aamir Khan featured in the film as a dedicated and enthusiastic Bhuvan, who motivates his fellow villagers to participate in the game and get rid of the taxes. Gracy Singh played his love interest Gauri while Rachel Shelley featured as Captain Russell's sister, Elizabeth, who had an unrequited love story with Bhuvan.
Lagaan was one of the biggest hits of Bollywood in 2001 and is still considered one of the most iconic films in the history of Indian cinema. At the 49th National Film Awards, Lagaan won in the following categories: Best Music Direction (AR Rahman), Playback Singer (Udit Narayan for Mitwa O Mitwa), Lyrics (Javed Akhtar), Choreography (Raju Khan), Art Direction (Chandrakant Desai), Audiography (H Sridhar and Nakul Kamte), Costume Designer (Bhanu Athaiya), and Most Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
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