Entertainment
Modi-led govt under fire after women journalists barred from Afghan FM’s presser
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government faced intense backlash after women journalists were barred from attending Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s press conference in New Delhi, Indian media reported.
Muttaqi is on a six-day visit after getting a temporary exemption on his travel ban by UN Security Council (UNSC) Committee. It was the first such trip to India by a Afghan Taliban leader since 2021.
India, a day earlier, upgraded ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, giving a boost to the diplomatically isolated group, by announcing it would reopen its embassy in Kabul that was shut after the Taliban seized power in 2021.
During the visit, the visiting foreign minister held a press conference at the Afghanistan embassy in Delhi, wherein the women journalists were stopped by the security staff and Delhi Police officials from attending the event despite multiple requests.
Opposition parties condemned the Modi administration for its silence over the exclusion of women reporters from the high-profile event, calling it an “insult to every Indian woman”.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said women have the right to equal participation in every field, adding that the incident sends a message that Modi is “too weak to stand up for their rights.”
“Mr Modi, when you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them,” he wrote on X.
“In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space. Your silence in the face of such discrimination exposes the emptiness of your slogans on Nari Shakti [woman power],” he added.
Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the Modi government clarify its position on the issue.
“If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride,” she asked.
Former finance minister P Chidambaram also criticised the media’s handling of the event, saying male journalists present at the briefing “should have walked out in protest.”
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra went further, slamming the government for “disgracing every Indian woman” through its complicity. “By allowing such discrimination on Indian soil, the Modi regime has surrendered the country’s dignity,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs distanced itself from the controversy, claiming it had “no role” in the arrangements for the event.
According to the ministry, the invites for the press meet went to select journalists from Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mumbai who were stationed in Delhi for the Afghan minister’s visit. The Afghan Embassy territory does not come under the jurisdiction of the Indian government, it pointed out.
Entertainment
‘Heated Rivalry’ director shares thrilling news about shooting season 2
Jacob Tierney has excited fans by confirming that Heated Rivalry Season 2 is on track to start filming this summer.
The director is currently deep into writing scripts, spending long hours shaping the next chapter of the popular series.
Based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, Heated Rivalry’s story is about hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who fall in love during their competition.
The first season quickly became a fan favourite because of its mix of sports drama, tension and LGBTQ+ love story.
Tierney promises that the new season will continue the emotional intensity and chemistry that fans loved in Season 1.
While specific plot details is still under wraps, the writing process is progressing well and filming can start later this year if everything goes according to plan.
Heated Rivalry got loyal audience who can’t wait to see what happens next with Shane and Ilya.
The show has been praised for blending romance, tension and hockey action in a way that keeps people hooked.
With Tierney’s update, fans can finally feel the excitement growing as the story heads into its next chapter.
Season 2 promises more drama, more romance and more moments that will make viewers cheer.
Entertainment
Harry Styles kicks off new era with ‘One Night Only’ comeback show
Harry Styles made a big comeback in Manchester on Friday night with a special One Night Only show.
He played his new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally from start to finish, giving fans a full live experience for the first time in almost three years.
The concert was at Co op Live, a huge arena where Harry helped fund but tickets were just £20, making it more intimate than his upcoming huge Wembley and New York tour dates.
The rules were that fans got to keep their phones in special bags and everyone got disposable cameras to capture the night.
Styles opened with his new single Aperture, standing with his band on a square stage while the audience waved red camera lights in the air.
The House Gospel Choir, who performed with him at the BRITs, joined him on stage, adding extra energy.
Throughout the night, the music icon talked to the crowd about how much the album meant to him.
“I had to take a little bit of time away, and stepping back into this room, I know exactly why I’m here,” he said.
Harry played a mix of new songs and old favourites, including Golden, Watermelon Sugar and Sign of the Times.
The entire show, however, was filmed for a Netflix special called Harry Styles. One Night In Manchester which drops on Sunday.
All of the One Direction’s former singer fans left buzzing from the music and the special atmosphere.
Entertainment
Stephanie Buttermore, fitness influencer dies suddenly aged 36: What actually happened
Stephanie Buttermore’s sudden death at age 36 on March 6 left the fitness community reeling as her death leaves questions.
Stephanie’s fiancée Jeff Nippard’s team announced the tragic news on their Instagram handle, however, the statement did not disclose the cause of her death but appealed to the online community to respect their privacy.
Stephanie Buttermore had a charismatic personality and had won hearts online.
The statement on Instagram reads: “An important update from the Jeff Nippard team: It is with profound sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Jeff’s fiancée and partner of ten years, Stephanie.
Jeff Nippard remembered his fiancée with touching words, stating, “As many of you know, Stephanie meant the world to Jeff. She will be remembered for her warmth and compassion, her love for her family, and her PhD research on ovarian cancer.”
Requesting with the online community for privacy, the statement added, “We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate this tragic loss. Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.”
Who was Stephanie Buttermore?
Stephanie Buttermore was a dynamic personality; besides being a known influencer in the fitness community, she was also an accomplished cancer researcher.
She did her PhD in Pathology and Cell Biology at the University of South Florida.
Her area of research was focused on ovarian cancer detection and early screening, where she succeeded in discovering a protein called RHAMM.
This protein could potentially be used as an early screening marker for the disease through urine test.
What made her a buzzing influencer was that she blended her passion for fitness with her scientific knowledge, thus starting to use her platform to inform millions of followers on the science behind exercise and diet.
What actually happened
However, as per her fiancée’s post, he didn’t disclose the medical condition that led to the sudden death of Stephanie Buttermore; instead, he appealed to the online community for privacy in moment of grief.
But, in her last Instagram post, Stephanie did mention her struggle with mental health and at that time she gave the reason why she had stepped away from social media.
In an Instagram post in May 2024, Stephanie while explaining her long break from social media, revealed that she had been struggling with severe anxiety that made her feel like she “couldn’t breathe or leave my house.”
The decision was instrumental in regaining mental health, describing how mental health became “the best it’s ever been” after stepping away from the pressures of constant social media posting.
Stephanie’s last known public moment came on Valentine’s Day this year, with her fiancé, who captioned the post, “Relationshipmaxxing with tea time to lower cortisol levels.”
She commented on the buzzing post, “Love you forever,” unaware of the fact that it would become her farewell message to her fiancée and online community.
Buttermore had garnered a significant social media following, boasting over 525,000 followers on Instagram and over 1.17 million YouTuber followers.
-
Business1 week agoAttock Cement’s acquisition approved | The Express Tribune
-
Business1 week agoIndia Us Trade Deal: Fresh look at India-US trade deal? May be ‘rebalanced’ if circumstances change, says Piyush Goyal – The Times of India
-
Fashion1 week agoPolicy easing drives Argentina’s garment import surge in 2025
-
Sports1 week agoLPGA legend shares her feelings about US women’s Olympic wins: ‘Gets me really emotional’
-
Entertainment1 week agoBobby J. Brown, “The Wire” and “Law & Order: SUV” actor, dies of smoke inhalation after reported fire
-
Fashion1 week agoSouth Korea’s Misto Holdings completes planned leadership transition
-
Fashion1 week agoTexwin Spinning showcasing premium cotton yarn range at VIATT 2026
-
Entertainment1 week agoPakistan’s semi-final qualification scenario after England defeat New Zealand
