International

Princess Leonor Poised to Make History as Spain’s First Queen in 150 Years


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Spain is poised to witness a historic transition as Princess Leonor, the 20-year-old daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, prepares to become the country’s first Queen Regnant in 150 years. Her ascension will mark a significant milestone for the Spanish monarchy, with the last reigning queen being Isabella II, whose rule ended in 1868.

The Spanish crown has been held by the Bourbon dynasty since the early 18th century, following their victory in the War of the Spanish Succession. After decades under General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, the monarchy was restored in 1975 with King Juan Carlos I, who played a central role in Spain’s transition to democracy. He abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, King Felipe VI, placing Princess Leonor next in line to the throne.

King Felipe married Queen Letizia, a former journalist, in 2004. She became queen at the age of 42 when Felipe ascended the throne. The royal couple has two daughters — Princess Leonor, born in 2005 and heir to the throne, and Infanta Sofia, born in 2007.

As part of her preparation for future leadership, Spanish law requires the heir to the throne to undergo comprehensive military training across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Princess Leonor completed her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales before beginning her military journey in August 2023 with Army training in Zaragoza, joining a cohort of over 500 cadets.

In 2024, she transitioned to naval training in Galicia and embarked on a 140-day, 17,000-mile voyage aboard the historic training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. Serving as part of the crew, she sailed across the Atlantic, around South America and onward to New York, later spending time aboard the warship Blas de Lezo before returning to Cadiz in July.

Her training continued with the Air Force, where in December 2025 she completed her first solo flight in a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, becoming the first female member of the Spanish royal family to achieve this milestone. During her time at the Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia, she received a warm reception and is now set to be honoured with the Gold Medal of the Region of Murcia, the region’s highest civilian award.

Fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Arabic and Mandarin, Princess Leonor represents a modern, globally aware monarchy. Her journey reflects a careful balance between tradition and transformation, positioning her as a symbol of continuity and change as Spain prepares to welcome its first reigning queen in over a century and a half.

Films

Kartik Aaryan Wraps Up Naagzilla Shoot by February-End, August 14 Release on Track


Kartik Aaryan is steadily progressing toward wrapping up his upcoming creature comedy Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand, with the actor expected to complete filming by the end of February. Currently shooting in Mumbai, Aaryan is working on the penultimate schedule of the film under the direction of Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. The project remains firmly on track for its planned August 14 theatrical release.

The film sees Kartik Aaryan stepping into a unique avatar, portraying a shape-shifting serpent in a fantasy-driven narrative that blends humour with visual spectacle. Actor Ravi Kishan is also part of the ongoing Mumbai schedule. According to sources, the team will move to Delhi in February for the final leg of filming, which is expected to continue for about a month. Once principal photography concludes, March will be reserved for patchwork and finishing touches.

Given the heavy reliance on visual effects, the makers have already begun VFX work alongside the shoot to ensure timely completion without compromising on quality. The intent, sources reveal, is to deliver a polished and immersive experience, allowing sufficient time to assess and refine the effects once filming wraps up.

Naagzilla marks Kartik Aaryan’s second collaboration with Dharma Productions following Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (2025). The film stars South actor Sreeleela as the female lead, making this her second project with Aaryan. She is also set to make her Bollywood debut opposite him in Anurag Basu’s upcoming musical drama, further strengthening their on-screen pairing.

With filming nearing completion and post-production already in motion, Naagzilla is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated quirky releases of the year, promising a mix of fantasy, comedy, and visual spectacle for audiences.

Films

83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026: Full List of Winners from Hollywood’s First Big Night


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Hollywood’s awards season officially began with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held on Sunday night at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Known for its relaxed, champagne-filled atmosphere, the Golden Globes once again brought together the biggest names from the worlds of film and television under one glittering roof.

Comedian Nikki Glaser returned as host for the second consecutive year, steering the ceremony with her signature wit and humour. The night celebrated outstanding achievements across cinema, television, stand-up comedy and podcasts, making it one of the most diverse and eagerly awaited award shows of the season.

In the film categories, Hamnet emerged as the winner for Best Motion Picture – Drama, while One Battle After Another dominated the Musical or Comedy category. Animated feature KPop Demon Hunters stood out with a major win, further underlining the growing global influence of animation and pop culture crossovers. The Secret Agent claimed the Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language award, highlighting the continued rise of international cinema at global award platforms.

On the acting front, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) took home top honours in the drama categories, while Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme. Rose Byrne was recognised for her performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and Teyana Taylor earned acclaim for her supporting role in One Battle After Another.

Television also had a strong presence, with The Pitt winning Best Drama Series and The Studio taking home Best Musical or Comedy Series. Adolescence emerged as the top Limited Series, while individual performances by Rhea Seehorn, Noah Wyle, Jean Smart and Michelle Williams stood out among the winners.

Beyond film and television, Ricky Gervais won Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television for Mortality, while Good Hang with Amy Poehler was named Best Podcast, reflecting the expanding scope of storytelling and entertainment honoured by the Golden Globes.

With the Golden Globes setting the tone, Hollywood now looks ahead to the rest of the awards season, as industry favourites and emerging talents continue their race toward the Oscars and beyond.

EduConnect

Samarpan: Students of Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School Lead with Compassion


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

On 12th January 2026, Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School, Salvador-do-Mundo, hosted a deeply moving Samarpan event that beautifully reflected the spirit of giving, empathy and community service. The initiative brought students together with a shared purpose — to support Samvedana Ashram, Parra, Bardez, Goa, run by Jeevan Anand Sansthan.

The event opened with inspiring speeches by students Miss Varsha Kanse and Mast. Sahil Gawade, whose thoughtful words highlighted the importance of kindness and responsibility towards society. Adding further depth to the occasion, Tr. Saunlo Uscaikar addressed the students, motivating them to embrace compassion as a way of life and reminding them that service to humanity is a powerful form of education.

A soulful song on Swami Vivekanand, presented by the students, filled the atmosphere with positivity and inspiration, reinforcing the message of selfless service and inner strength. The highlight of the event was the generous contribution made by students from Classes 5 to 10 and the primary section, who donated essential items including wheat flour, biscuits, rice, soaps, toothpaste, pulses and potatoes. Their collective effort showcased unity, planning and a strong sense of social awareness at a young age.

Adding to the generosity, a well-wisher of the school, Shri Ramesh Tiwari, also contributed items to support the ashram. The Samarpan event stood as a testament to the school’s commitment to nurturing empathetic, socially responsible individuals and creating meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. The initiative not only helped those in need but also instilled lifelong values of compassion and service among the students.

Events in Goa

Sunshine Art and Literature Festival (SALF) 2026 Opens with Creativity, Culture and Celebration


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Sunshine Art and Literature Festival (SALF) 2026 commenced with a vibrant and thoughtfully curated opening day that celebrated creativity, culture and youthful expression. The festival opened with a warm welcome to guests and participants, followed by engaging student performances that reflected artistic diversity, confidence and imagination, setting the tone for the days ahead.

The opening day was made even more special by the esteemed presence of Mr. Jackie Shroff ji and Mrs. Sulakshana Sawant ji, whose participation brought warmth, inspiration and a sense of occasion to the festival. Their interaction with students and visitors added a memorable personal touch to the celebrations.

Throughout the day, the festival grounds came alive with thoughtfully designed stalls showcasing food, crafts, games and student-led initiatives, creating a space that encouraged interaction, discovery and creativity. Visitors explored ideas, flavours and artistic expressions while engaging with the vibrant energy that defined the festival.

A series of enriching sessions added depth to Day 1, with discussions and workshops on preserving heritage, filmmaking, Kaavi art, public speaking, podcasting and a young author’s interview offering valuable insights and inspiration. These sessions reflected SALF’s commitment to nurturing dialogue, creativity and learning across disciplines.

Day 1 marked a strong and promising beginning for SALF 2026, leaving visitors inspired and eager for what lies ahead. With its blend of art, literature, culture and youthful energy, the Sunshine Art and Literature Festival continues to shape itself as a meaningful platform for expression, exchange and celebration.