Travel to Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, has become increasingly popular among modern travellers. Alongside planning itineraries filled with street food, bustling markets, and rich cultural experiences, many are now adding a small but essential item to their packing list—

Colombo — Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka fell sig

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States will continue its naval blockade targeting Iran, even after the Strait of Hormuz was reopened for commercial passage. The statement underscores that the broader conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel remains unresolved. In a public message, Trump acknowledged Iran’s move to reopen the strategic waterway, a critical route

On April 8, 2026, Pakistan secured a major diplomatic win by mediating the US-Iran ceasefire, but within hours, the deal was under strain as Israel launched large airstrikes on Lebanon, an Iranian ally, killing hundreds. The confusion centered around Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire agreement, with Pakistan's interpretation putting it in the heart of the storm. While Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's announcement claimed that the ceasefire applied to "everywhere, including Leban

More than 10,000 flights operated by Indian carrie

Two people were killed and three others injured in a strike on a railway bridge in the central Iranian city of Kashan, according to regional authorities. The incident occurred at approximately 4:52 PM IST on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (which was early morning, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the United States), based on available live updates. Akbar Salehi, a senior security official in Isfahan province, said the Yahya Abad railway bridge in Kashan was targeted in what he described as an attack involving U.S. and Israeli forces. He stated that the strike resulted in civilian casualties, confirming two fatalities and three injuries. Authorities reported disruptions to transportation infrastructure following the incident. A key highway in northern Iran was closed after the strike, though officials did not immediately provide details on the extent of the damage or how long the closure would remain in effect. No independent confirmation of the attack or its attribution has been released. The situation remains fluid as officials continue to assess the damage and broader security implications in the region.

The Embassy of India in Vietnam has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals visiting the country, highlighting two major concerns: the visa-free entry to Phu Quoc Island and the potential complications in case of passport loss.Phu Quoc Island, a popular destination, offers visa-free entry for certain foreign nationals, including Indians. However, the advisory warns that this exemption is limited solely to the island and does not extend to mainland Vietnam. This means that Indian travele

At an inter-ministerial press conference held on Monday, April 6, 2026, in India (IST), Mukesh Mangal, Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed that Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-affected West Asia region remain safe, even as escalating geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt global energy markets. Mangal stated that no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels had been reported in the preceding 24 hours, underscoring the government’s ong

A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Mountains region at approximately 1:40 AM PT on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with its epicenter near Boulder Creek, California, prompting residents to report shaking and minor property damage across nearby communities. The tremor was felt strongly in surrounding areas, including Felton, located about five miles from the epicenter. Surveillance footage captured inside a residence in Felton shows the sudden jolt as objects shifted and fell du

Aluminum prices surged to levels not seen since 2022 following Iranian attacks on two major Gulf producers, stoking concerns of a global supply crisis. On Monday, March 30, 2026, futures initially jumped 5.5% to $3,492 per tonne before easing to $3,381 per tonne by the afternoon, still 3.5% higher. Since the escalation began on February 28, aluminum has gained roughly 10%, despite a brief pullback last week amid broader market fears of a global recession. The attacks targeted Emirates

Mumbai Indians started their IPL 2026 campaign with a strong and confident win against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium, ending a 13-year wait for a victory in their opening match. Chasing a big target of 221 runs, they comfortably reached 224 for 4 in just 19.1 overs, making it their highest successful chase in IPL history. Rohit Sharma played a brilliant innings, beginning carefully and then accelerating with powerful shots. He scored 78 runs and reached his half-century

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization on Tuesday reported that a projectile struck within the perimeter of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, alleging that the attack was carried out by the United States and Israel. In an official statement, the agency described the incident as part of continued aggression by what it termed the “American-Zionist enemy.” Authorities said the projectile landed inside the facility’s enclosure but confirmed that initial assessments found no financial losses, techn

Tensions in the Middle East have entered a new phase after Iran warned that it could target economic infrastructure and facilities linked to major international technology companies as the regional conflict continues to intensify. The warning indicates a shift in the nature of modern warfare, where economic systems, financial institutions, and technology infrastructure are increasingly viewed as strategic targets alongside conventional military installations. A spokesperson for Khatam

Travelers flying through Texas airports have recently experienced significant security delays, with airport wait times exceeding one hour amid a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. At some major airports in Texas, security lines stretched over three hours, prompting officials to recommend that passengers arrive up to five hours before their scheduled flights to avoid missing departures. The length of the shutdown remains uncertain as congressional negotiati

The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to intensify across West Asia, with fighting that began on February 28 now spreading to several countries in the region. The escalation began after coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, which triggered retaliatory strikes and military responses that have gradually widened the scope of the conflict. Over the past several days, multiple Gulf nations have reported attacks and security incidents, ra

Actor Vijay's wife, Sangeeta Sornalingam, has filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage, accusing him of infidelity and cruelty. The couple, who married in August 1999, share two children—Jason Sanjay and Divya Shasha. Sangeeta’s petition for divorce, filed under the Special Marriage Act of 1954, claims that Vijay's extramarital affair with an actress was the main reason for her decision to seek legal separation. In her petition, Sangeeta alleges that she discovered Vijay’s

The Arctic, once considered remote and largely inaccessible, is emerging as a key area of global strategic interest. China has formally included its “Polar Silk Road” initiative within its broader Belt and Road strategy, signaling an expansion of influence in a region historically dominated by Arctic nations. By calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” Beijing is asserting that its economic and strategic interests extend well beyond its geographical borders, prompting concern from other glo

A graduate student in Chicago is taking on an extraordinary challenge: running every street in all 77 neighborhoods of the city. Joabe Barbosa, who studies at Roosevelt University, treats the sprawling urban landscape as his personal treadmill, running at all hours and in all kinds of weather. “I run 1 a.m., 3 a.m., 7 a.m., 5 p.m. — any time of the day, any weather,” Barbosa said. “I’m always safe and I always meet lovely people.” Barbosa’s journey began in August 2024 a

At least 22 people were killed and more than 30 others injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeast Thailand on Wednesday morning, derailing multiple coaches and triggering a fire, local authorities said. The incident occurred during peak travel hours, turning a routine commute into one of the deadliest rail disasters the country has seen in recent years. Police officials confirmed that the accident took place at around 9:00 am local time in Nakho

Indian tourism is undergoing a quiet but significant shift as international travellers begin to look beyond the country’s most familiar destinations. While cities like Goa, Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai have long dominated travel itineraries, a new name is steadily gaining global attention. According to Agoda’s New Horizons Rankings, Thiruvananthapuram has emerged as the fastest-growing destination