Winning a beauty pageant is only the beginning of a queen’s journey. From dazzling smiles and flawless gowns to public speaking on world peace, contestants are trained for perfection. But what many don’t realize is that the real challenge begins after the crown is placed. Behind the glamour lies a strict world of contracts and conduct rules and if these are broken, even the most poised winner can find herself dethroned. At the global level, pageants like Miss Universe an

Despite a significant investment of $350,000, a recent study funded by the city of San Jose to explore community-based alternatives for addressing domestic violence has come up short on actionable solutions. The city had initially allocated $400,000 for the research project titled “Community-Led Solutions to Domestic Violence,” which was aimed at developing methods to support survivors without involving law enforcement. The study, released on May 20, was conducted by a nonprofit o

The Miss World 2025 competition has reached its final stages, and the energy is electric in Telangana, India, where contestants from around the globe have gathered to showcase not just beauty, but purpose. Among the many impressive participants, Miss Wales Millie-Mae Adams and Miss Zambia Faith Bwalya have emerged as powerful voices, each making a lasting impression in the much-anticipated Head to Head Challenge. Millie-Mae Adams, representing Wales, is currently training to become

A grassroots community effort in Cupertino has transformed the simple act of harvesting backyard fruit into a powerful mission to support local families experiencing food insecurity. Organized by a local climate action group and supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, the initiative harvested approximately 250 pounds of fruit in just three and a half hours from residential trees in the area. The late-April pilot harvest saw local volunteers come together to collect fruit that

Mark your calendars and bring your inner fashionista because Lafayette’s beloved Assistance League® Thrift Shop is hosting a one-day-only jewelry event that promises sparkle, style, and serious savings. Scheduled for Saturday, May 31, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, the event will take place at the shop’s cozy location next to the historic Park Theater in downtown Lafayette, California. This exclusive event invites shoppers into a world of shimmer and charm where accessorizing

  A new affordable housing project is in the pipeline for downtown Sunnyvale, but not all local residents are welcoming the idea. The city is planning to build 126 affordable apartments at 295 South Mathilda Avenue, a 1.04-acre city-owned parcel, in collaboration with MidPen Housing. While city officials and developers see this as a necessary step toward solving the region’s affordable housing crisis, some neighbors, particularly those living in nearby single-family homes

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

Controversy has erupted around the Miss World 2025 pageant after Miss England, Milla Magee, announced her abrupt withdrawal from the competition held in Telangana, India. Her departure sparked widespread speculation and intense media scrutiny, especially in the British press, over alleged misconduct and ethical concerns during the international beauty event. Milla Magee, who held the title of Miss England 2024, told British media outlet The Sun that she felt uncomfortable w

Miss India 2025, Nandini Gupta, has earned a prestigious spot among the top 24 global finalists for the Miss World 2025 pageant, an event that is creating waves of pride and excitement across the country. Held for the first time in Telangana, India, the international beauty pageant has turned into a celebration of culture, tradition, and youthful talent. The competition has attracted 108 participants from around the world, each representing their nation’s grace and excellence. After a s

The spotlight is on Hyderabad as the city hosts the prestigious Miss World 2025 pageant, drawing global attention with its vibrant celebration of culture, beauty, and purpose. A pivotal moment arrived with the announcement of the top 24 finalists in the Talent Competition, among whom India’s own Nandini Gupta has secured a place. This recognition places her in a strong position as the competition progresses, bringing her closer to a potential Top 10 placement in the continental rounds.

In Silver Spring, Maryland, a local nonprofit continues to be a dependable source of nourishment for individuals and families in need. In 2024, the organization prepared and served more than 168,000 hot meals, maintaining a daily commitment to combating food insecurity in the region. Staff member Daniella Burgos, who has worked there since 2022, emphasized the exceptional consistency of their mission. According to her, providing meals seven days a week—sometimes up to three times a day&mda

The 72nd Miss World Festival, currently underway in the vibrant state of Telangana, has officially announced the 24 global finalists for its much-anticipated Talent Competition. Selected from a pool of nearly 100 international contestants, these young women are set to captivate the world with their performances on May 23, as part of the ongoing festivities hosted in India. The Miss World Talent Competition has always been one of the most eagerly awaited segments of the pageant, shin

San Jose is taking steps to boost its appeal as a sports and nightlife destination by allowing public consumption of alcoholic drinks in designated downtown zones during key 2026 sporting events. City leaders unanimously approved a plan to create “entertainment zones” for open alcohol sales and consumption during major public gatherings linked to the FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl 60, both expected to draw global attention and large crowds to the Bay Area. Six entertain

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

JPMorgan has unveiled its 2025 Summer Reading List, a curated selection of 16 books that delve into themes of happiness, resilience, artificial intelligence, and the future of global finance. Now in its 26th year, this annual list is compiled from over 1,000 suggestions by JPMorgan's client advisors and refined by a dedicated review committee. The list serves as a guide for the affluent seeking insightful and transformative reads during the summer months. Darin Oduyoye, Chi

As part of the ongoing 72nd Miss World Festival, 107 international contestants visited the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat on May 18, marking a spectacular day of cultural celebration and technological brilliance in Hyderabad. The visit began with a tribute at the Telangana Thalli statue, symbolizing the identity, pride, and aspirations of the state. The contestants were warmly welcomed on the Secretariat’s central lawn, where they were treated to an authentic Hy

Father’s Day 2025 falls on Sunday, June 15, and if your dad is one of those who says, “I don’t want anything,” we’ve got just the solution. Whether he’s into grilling, golfing, gadgets, or relaxing weekends, there’s a thoughtful, local gift that’s perfect for him — and no, it’s not a mug or another pair of socks. Thanks to a partnership between Patch and T-Mobile, you can now use a handy online gift finder to disco

Hyderabad became the spotlight of global attention as the Miss World 2025 pageant officially began with a grand heritage walk through the city’s historic old quarters. Contestants from various countries arrived in the city to experience the cultural depth and hospitality of India, with the inaugural event kicking off at the iconic Charminar. This initiative marked the beginning of a series of cultural experiences that aim to highlight Hyderabad’s rich heritage and traditions to an

The much-awaited Livermore Downtown Street Fest is back for 2025, taking place on May 17-18 in the heart of Livermore, California. This free, family-friendly festival promises a weekend full of live entertainment, local shopping, delicious food, and refreshing beverages. Hosted by Livermore Downtown Inc. (LDI), the event has been a cherished tradition for over 30 years. Despite its evolving format, the essence of the festival remains the same supporting small businesses and fostering communit

The 2025 Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, made history not just for its theme celebrating Black fashion and dandyism but also for the landmark debuts of Indian icons on the prestigious red carpet. Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan made his much-anticipated debut at the event, becoming the first-ever Indian male actor to walk the Met steps. Joining him were fellow Indian stars Kiara Advani, who made headlines with her radiant pregnancy reveal, and singer-actor Di