From Ikkis to Balan: The Boy, these are the 10 Indian films that truly deserved the loudest applause in the first half of 2026.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished fourth in the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 85.69m, marking his return from injury. Despite not winning, he successfully breached the qualifying distance for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and has been named in the Indian team.
India delivered a commanding performance against arch-rivals Pakistan, securing a resounding 7-1 victory in their FIH Pro League return leg match. Despite Pakistan taking an early lead, India quickly retaliated with goals from Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, Rajkumar Pal, and Dilpreet Singh, showcasing superior attacking prowess and penalty corner conversion.
A caste recalibration is simmering just below the surface in UP.
The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Delhi has denied bail to two minors arrested in connection with the death of a man during a clash between two families on Holi. The board cited concerns about public peace, the safety of the minors, and the integrity of the justice system.
'What struck me at the time was simply the scale of it -- that something of this magnitude could be unfolding inside the Ram temple itself.' 'It was bewildering. And what troubled me further was the manner in which people were shielding it.'
The Gauhati High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail petition of Congress leader Pawan Khera regarding allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife.
Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress supremo, has launched a strong counterattack against rebel party members, accusing them of conspiring with the BJP to split the party. She dared them to formally join the BJP and defended her leadership amidst the worst organisational crisis for TMC, while also announcing leadership changes and criticising the rebels' past actions and attempts to seize party assets.
Indian javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra is set to make his competitive return at the Doha Diamond League on June 19. The Olympic champion has been recovering from a back injury that kept him out of action earlier this season. His management firm confirmed his participation via Instagram.
A BJP councillor, Sugathan, was arrested in Thiruvananthapuram under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) after police fired into the air to disperse a crowd obstructing the arrest. His family denies allegations and accuses police of excessive force.
A BJP councillor, Sugathan, was arrested in Thiruvananthapuram under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) after police fired into the air to disperse a crowd obstructing the arrest. His family denies allegations and accuses police of excessive force.
Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago's O'Hare Airport before being allowed into the United States, while the team's photographer was denied entry ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
A special NIA court in Mumbai has denied Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case accused Hany Babu permission to visit Kerala, citing previous similar rejections and readily available medical facilities in Mumbai.
Five-times champions Brazil came back strongly from a one goal deficit to beat Japan 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash at the Houston Stadium on Monday.
An assistant treasury officer in Rajasthan's Dausa district died by suicide days after an FIR was filed against him in connection with the harassment and murder of a junior accountant. A suicide note recovered from his residence accuses a naib tehsildar and his brother-in-law of harassment.
A police team in Kochi intervened to help a NEET candidate who was about to be denied entry to her examination centre due to a missing passport-size photograph. Their timely action, involving contacting a studio owner on a Sunday, ensured the student could sit for the crucial medical entrance test.
England coach Brendon McCullum has strongly denied any rift with Test captain Ben Stokes, calling speculation 'amusing' after Stokes' suspension for a curfew breach.
Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory as Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored in a 2-0 win over Ecuador, sending the co-hosts into the last 16 amid emotional scenes at the Azteca Stadium.
Sweden and Japan played out a 1-1 draw in their World Cup Group F match, with Anthony Elanga scoring for Sweden and Daizen Maeda for Japan. The result ensures both teams progress to the knockout rounds, with Japan finishing second and Sweden securing a spot as one of the best third-placed teams.
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman stood by his tactical decisions and substitutions after Japan struck late to earn a 2-2 draw in their opening Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
The duo decided to kill Agarwal instead of eloping because they feared that elopement would bring disrepute to their families, police said.
South Africa has made history by securing their first-ever World Cup knockout stage berth after a 1-0 victory over South Korea. Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute, leading to jubilant celebrations and setting up a clash with co-hosts Canada. This marks a significant achievement for the team, overcoming previous group stage exits.
Kidambi Srikanth ended his impressive run with a runner-up finish at the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament after going down fighting in three games to Chinese Taipei's Su Li-yang.
India captain Shreyas Iyer addressed the media ahead of the T20I series opener against England, discussing team selection, particularly the potential debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Iyer emphasised the importance of backing experienced players who won the T20 World Cup and reflected on India's recent series loss to Ireland, highlighting lessons learned for the upcoming challenging series in England.
Harry Kane scored twice, including a 75th-minute equaliser and a late winner against DR Congo, to guide England into the last 16 with their first World Cup comeback victory since 1990.
Indian-origin golfers Aaron Rai and Akshay Bhatia have made an encouraging start at the Travelers Championship, a PGA Tour Signature Event. Rai fired a flawless five-under 65 to share eighth place, while Bhatia posted a four-under 66, placing him in a tie for 14th. Sahith Theegala, however, struggled with a four-over 74. Eric Cole leads the tournament with a seven-under 63.
A Delhi court has affirmed that travelling abroad is an integral part of Fundamental Rights, allowing a woman accused in a money laundering case to visit Thailand for her children's summer vacation. The court balanced her right to travel against the risk of her fleeing justice, finding no evidence to suggest she would abscond.
The Karnataka government intervened to open a salon in Shingatalur village after Dalits were allegedly denied haircuts by upper-caste residents due to discriminatory practices.
South Africa has made history by qualifying for the World Cup knockout phase for the first time, thanks to a decisive second-half goal from Thapelo Maseko against South Korea. This 1-0 victory places them on four points in Group A, securing their progression, while South Korea still has a chance to advance as a best third-placed team.
Japan's Yuto Nagatomo made history by becoming the first Asian player to feature in five FIFA World Cups during Japan's 1-1 draw against Sweden. This achievement places him among an elite group of players globally. The draw secured both Japan and Sweden's advancement to the Round of 32 in the 2026 tournament.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has permitted a 21-year-old man, accused in a suicide abetment case and currently in jail, to appear for the NEET-2026 examination under police escort. The court also directed jail authorities to provide him with study material. This decision came after his plea for temporary bail to take the exam was heard, with the court opting for police custody over bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offence.
Brazil have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the disallowing of a Vinicius Jr goal during their 3-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage victory over Scotland, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) also requesting that Mexican referee Cesar Ramos no longer officiate the team's matches.
England captain Harry Kane missed a crucial opportunity against Ghana, blazing a close-range shot over the bar, which denied his side an immediate spot in the World Cup round of 32. The 0-0 draw means England must now wait to confirm their progression.
Croatia secured their first points in the World Cup Group L by defeating Panama 1-0, thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Ante Budimir. The victory eliminated Panama from the tournament. The match also saw captain Luka Modric achieve his 200th cap for Croatia.
As India awaits Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's senior debut, experts urge cricket to remember the 15-year-old is still a child, highlighting the challenges of balancing extraordinary talent, growing fame and emotional well-being.
Eight individuals have been arrested in Ayodhya in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple. The arrests follow an FIR lodged by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, based on recommendations from a Special Investigation Team. The accused were involved in counting cash and valuables and face charges including theft and criminal breach of trust.
An attempt to murder case has been registered against Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of slain sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, after he allegedly placed a gun to the complainant's head following a dispute in Beed, Maharashtra.
Most of those named were involved with the donation-counting process.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has refuted claims by the TMC that the BJP would ban meat and fish consumption if it wins the West Bengal assembly elections. Sarma clarified that only beef consumption is restricted in Assam and accused the TMC of wanting to continue cattle smuggling to Bangladesh for their own benefit.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to introduce a resolution in the state Assembly opposing Karnataka's plan to construct a dam across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu. The resolution will urge the Centre to withhold technical and environmental clearance, citing concerns that the project would unilaterally affect Tamil Nadu's interests.
