Los Angeles, Aug 8 (IANS) Actress-singer Selena Gomez has shared how the TV sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place changed her life. The 33-year-old actress auditioned for a series of TV shows, including the spin-off of Lizzie McGuire, before she joined the cast of Wizards of Waverly Place.Selena said on the Therapuss with Jake Shane podcast: “It was actually a weird thing because I was on three pilots for the Disney channel. One was the spin-off of Lizzie McGuire. One was the spin-off of the Suite Lif…

Mumbai, Aug 8 (IANS) As the supernatural thriller Holy Ghost released in Indian cinemas on August 8, its director Shravan Tiwari said that with the film he wanted to craft a story where fear is felt in silence and shadows. Shot entirely in the United States, the film blends elements of horror, suspense and emotional depth, aiming to create a universally resonant experience for audiences across cultures.Director Shravan Tiwari said: “With Holy Ghost, I wanted to craft a story where fear is felt…

Hyderabad, Aug 8 (IANS) The makers of director Srikanth Odela’s eagerly awaited action thriller, ‘The Paradise’, on Friday disclosed that actor Nani plays a character called Jadel in the action entertainer and released his look in the film. Taking to his X timeline to share the first look poster of Nani, director Srikanth Odela wrote, “Presenting to you all – ‘Jadal’. This time, my hero, @NameisNani anna will walk into hell and turn it into #TheParadise. March 26th, 2026 in Cinemas Worldwide…

Mumbai, Aug 8 (IANS) National Award-winning actress Divya Dutta said that for her, femininity means having the freedom and equality to make one’s own life choices without dependence on others. Asked how her personal definitions of femininity evolved over the years, Divya revealed that she has been fortunate to have grown up in a home where she was given that freedom.”For me, I think, you know, I’ve been very fortunate that I come from a house where my mother gave me more freedom than my brother….

Moscow, Aug 8 (IANS) India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russia’s Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu in Moscow to discuss ways to deepen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.Both sides stressed the need for collaborative efforts ahead of this year’s bilateral summit, and exchanged views on Russia-India cooperation in multilateral forums, as well as key global security issues.“On August 7, Secretary of Russia’s Security Cou…

Washington, Aug 8 (IANS) A US diplomat said that the United States notes “with interest” a recent statement by the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that apparently signaled Pyongyang’s openness to diplomacy with Washington while rejecting any dialogue on its denuclearisation. Seth Bailey, acting deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, made the remarks during a public event, referring to last week’s statement by Kim Yo-jo…

Sydney, Aug 8 (IANS) A man has been hospitalised in a critical condition and a teenager has been arrested following the stabbing attack at a public park in Sydney. Emergency services were called to reports of an assault at the park in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Annandale at about 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.Police officers arrived and found six men with a range of injuries, who said they had been assaulted by a group of four unknown males following an argument.One…

Washington, Aug 8 (IANS) A Pentagon official said Thursday that South Korea’s contributions through its alliance with the United States are “critical” to shoring up deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, as Washington prioritises deterring threats from an increasingly assertive China. John Noh, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, made the remarks during an event hosted by the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), underscoring South Korea’s military, economic and technological c…

Seoul, Aug 8 (IANS) Former National Security Adviser of South Korea, Cho Tae-yong appeared before a special counsel team Friday for another round of questioning over allegations of government interference in an initial probe into the death of a Marine in 2023. Cho, who was questioned by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon’s team last week, told reporters that he would tell the truth as he arrived at the office in southern Seoul.The case centers on allegations the investigation results into the deat…

Srinagar, Aug 8 (IANS) The anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district entered its 8th day on Friday, making it one of the longest anti-terrorist actions in decades in the Union Territory.The Army said on Friday that the anti-terrorist operation in Akhal Devsar forest area of Kulgam has entered its 8th consecutive day, marking it as one of the longest lasting anti-terror operation in decades.“UAVs, attack helicopters, and high-tech equipment are being used as terrorists c…