Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has voiced strong support for actress Deepika Padukone amid the ongoing row with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga over work schedule demands. Speaking to Media during promotions for his upcoming film Thug Life, Ratnam praised Deepika’s request for an eight-hour workday as not only reasonable but necessary, especially for young mothers trying to balance career and family. The veteran d

A breathtaking display of northern lights may be visible across parts of the United States tonight, May 31, as space weather experts forecast heightened geomagnetic storm activity that could push auroras much farther south than usual. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth is currently being impacted by high-speed solar wind, which is increasing geomagnetic pressure and fueling storm conditions in Earth’s upper atmosphere—an ideal scenario for auro

In a landmark verdict that stirred memories of a crime that shook the nation, a Kotdwar court in Uttarakhand on Friday sentenced Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP leader, and two others to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari. Arya, along with resort manager Saurabh Bhaskar and employee Ankit Gupta, was found guilty after a 14-month-long trial that drew widespread media and public attention. Ankita was employed at Vanantara Resort in the Y

Travelers flying in and out of New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport may soon experience smoother skies, as the Department of Transportation announces key improvements to communication systems that have recently caused flight issues. For weeks, Newark has dealt with a string of disruptions caused by communication breakdowns between air traffic controllers and pilots. These problems have raised concerns about traveler safety and the efficiency

In a captivating celebration of beauty, empathy, and global solidarity, the city of Hyderabad hosted the much-anticipated ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ gala for Miss World 2025. Held at the grand residence of philanthropist Sudha Reddy, the event welcomed 108 contestants from around the world who gathered not just as representatives of beauty, but as ambassadors of social change. The ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ initiative, which remains the beating heart of the Miss Wo

In a groundbreaking moment for India’s defence sector, the National Defence Academy (NDA) will witness the graduation of its first batch of women cadets during the 148th Passing Out Parade on May 30, 2025. Seventeen pioneering women cadets will pass out alongside more than 300 of their male counterparts, marking a significant stride toward inclusivity and gender equality in the Indian Armed Forces. This historic event follows the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling which allowed

Many American travelers are rethinking their summer travel plans in 2025 as political tensions and global perceptions shift. Traditionally enthusiastic about overseas travel, one Georgia-based couple had intended to visit South Korea this August, even finalizing their hotel reservations. However, rising unease surrounding U.S. international policies and increasingly strained relations with other nations prompted them to cancel their plans. Instead of jetting off to Seoul, they opted for a dom

Memorial Day 2025, observed on Monday, May 26, is not only a time for honoring fallen U.S. military heroes but also a cherished moment for Americans to gather, reflect, and travel. With the long weekend offering a perfect break from routine, Urban Express presents this travel guide featuring top destinations, practical travel tips, and exclusive offers to make your journey smooth and meaningful. Best Memorial Day Weekend Destinations in the U.S. Whether

A routine flight from Delhi to Srinagar turned into a traumatic experience for over 200 passengers when IndiGo flight 6E2142 encountered severe midair turbulence caused by an unexpected hailstorm. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening as the aircraft flew into the path of the storm, which later battered the Delhi-NCR region with strong winds, heavy rain, and hail. As the Airbus navigated through the weather system, passengers, including children, began to scream and cry in dist

A Singapore-based woman’s heartfelt story of meeting former DBS Bank CEO Piyush Gupta during a trip to Bali has captured the internet’s attention not for the reason she expected. The twist? It turns out the man she met wasn’t Piyush Gupta at all. Janney Hujic, a professional based in Singapore, shared what she believed was a powerful encounter with the Indian-origin banker, renowned for transforming DBS into a global digital banking powerhouse. Her enthusiastic and

The 72nd Miss World Festival’s Head-to-Head Challenge kicked off today at T-Hub, Hyderabad’s renowned innovation and entrepreneurship hub. This pivotal event, which is live-streamed globally on YouTube, provides a platform for the contestants to showcase their Beauty with a Purpose initiatives, which lie at the heart of Miss World’s mission to empower women through charitable projects and community-driven endeavors. This segment of the competition focuses on the intelligence

United Airlines is issuing an apology to passengers traveling through San Francisco International Airport following a wave of flight delays and disrupted meal service tied to a major catering provider transition. The airline recently began shifting its catering operations from its long-time partner to a new contractor, a change that has led to logistical issues affecting dozens of flights. The root of the disruption traces back to March, when more than 800 employees with the airli

This Saturday, May 17, the city of Dublin will host Utsavi, a vibrant festival celebrating women’s empowerment, creativity, and community leadership. Organized by Agomoni, a community-driven nonprofit, the event will take place at Frederiksen Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Utsavi, which means "joyful celebration" in Sanskrit, aims to bring together women from all walks of life to share knowledge, develop wellness practices, promote entrepreneurship, and build meaning

A recent event involving Miss World 2025 contestants has ignited a political and cultural firestorm in Telangana. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing women volunteers washing and wiping the feet of international beauty pageant participants before their entry into the historic Ramappa temple, located in Mulugu district. This act, which was meant as a ceremonial welcome, has been widely criticized by political parties and social groups who view it as a blow to the dignity and

In a major development that has sparked intense national outrage, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the filing of a police case against state minister Vijay Shah for his controversial and sexist remarks directed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The court took suo motu cognizance of the issue and directed the Director General of Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the minister. This directive came shortly after a video clip of Mr Shah’s comments at a public cult

In a significant move reflecting the ongoing military and diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Saturday that 32 airports across northern and western India have been temporarily closed for all civilian flight operations until May 15. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), in coordination with relevant aviation authorities, issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) that officially suspend civil aviation activity at these airports, effective

Oakland continues to see significant benefits from its tourism sector, with the city reporting an economic impact of $779 million from visitor activity in 2024. Despite persistent concerns about public safety and a long-standing negative narrative surrounding crime, tourism leaders and city officials are working to reshape Oakland’s image and highlight the many positives the city offers to travelers. In 2024, the city welcomed 3.4 million visitors who spent approximately $58

Missed your period and unsure why? If you haven’t experienced stress, changed your diet, or recently travelled, a delayed menstrual cycle can leave you feeling confused and concerned. Nutritionist Lovneet Batra took to Instagram to explain that there are several often-overlooked lifestyle factors that could be disrupting your cycle. In a post aimed at helping women understand their bodies better, Batra outlines five potential reasons why your period might be late—even if

Following India’s recent military campaign, Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the United States, United Kingdom, and China have all issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid certain regions in South Asia. The advisories are particularly focused on areas close to the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control, which remains a volatile and heavily militarized zone. The cautionary stance was taken in the

With airfares surging and popular summer destinations like Manali, Shimla, and Leh bursting at the seams, Indian travelers are beginning to look elsewhere for their much-needed seasonal reprieve. While the Himalayas have long been the go-to for beating the heat, there’s a whole other side to India’s summer landscape cooler, quieter, and far less discovered. Whether you crave mountain mist, tribal culture, or coffee-scented valleys, these seven lesser-known destinations beyond the