A family from Leeds and more than 100 others missed their EasyJet flight from Milan due to massive delays at passport control caused by the EU’s new entry-exit system. Despite arriving early, she faced biometric checks and slow processing, forcing her to spend £1,600 on an alternative journey. EasyJet cited border control issues, while passengers expressed frustration.

A family from Leeds spent more than £1,600 to get home after easyJet took off from Milan without them and more than 100 other passengers who were stuck in passport control queues due to the newly launched EU entry-exit system.Max Hume, 56, his wife Lynsey, 46, and their 13-year-old son Archie arrived at Milan Linate Airport about three hours before the Sunday morning flight to Manchester. He had good reason to come early. On their way to Italy a week ago they had already spent more than an hour in passport control queues. This time he reached with much time but still missed his flight.Only 34 of the 156 passengers booked on easyJet flight 5420 to Manchester boarded. The remaining 122 remained in Italy.The trouble started when the family reached passport control at 9.15 am. Frontier officials refused entry to Manchester-bound passengers because their flight had not yet been allocated a gate. Passengers flying to London on British Airways and another easyJet service were waved away during the same period, while the Manchester group waited in a standing queue in the heat. Lynsey Hume almost fainted. Another passenger was ill.When processing finally began authorities demanded full biometric registration from each passenger, including fingerprint scans and facial recognition, despite the fact that the same data had already been collected upon arrival in Italy the previous week. EU rules state that once both biometrics are registered only one should be required at subsequent crossings. Two officers worked with a single machine while 16 nearby automatic machines remained idle.By the time the family cleared passport control the plane was gone. At the gate they were told that a bus would take them to their luggage and arrangements would be made for hotel accommodation. There was no employee waiting at baggage claim. When Lynsey Hume contacted the easyJet desk she was told the family had been logged as a no-show and nothing could be done.EasyJet’s live chat told Max Hume that what happens at passport control is not the responsibility of the airline. The only option offered was to pay £110 per person for the next available flight to Manchester, five days away.The family explored alternatives. Each train ticket cost £500 for an all-day journey. A one-way car fare came to £5,000. Ultimately they booked connecting flights via Luxembourg with an overnight hotel stay at a combined cost of around £1,600. Max Hume has a credit card reaching its limit to cover expenses.He said he felt disappointed, broken and very poor. He said about 100 stranded passengers have told him they will never use easyJet again.EasyJet said it advised passengers to allow extra time at the airport and staggered flights where possible to give people more time to clear the queues. It said affected passengers have been offered free transfers and described delays at the border as being beyond its control.The EU entry-exit system was launched on Friday. It requires non-EU travellers, including British citizens, to register biometric data at European borders. Airlines for Europe told border officials the same day to suspend the system entirely when queues reached unacceptable levels.The Association of British Insurers warned travelers that standard travel insurance is unlikely to cover losses caused by EES-related delays and advised anyone affected to first contact their airline.

Composer Leslie Lewis fondly recalls his collaboration with the great Asha Bhosle and highlights her unique versatility and enduring artistic spirit. He described them as “universes of expression” whose songs became timeless and deeply connected to the lives of listeners. Lewis also shared a personal connection, calling her “Ai” and emphasizing her tireless passion and innate talent in the studio.

As tributes are being paid to veterans Asha BhosleComposer, singer and producer Leslie Lewis offered a deeply personal recollection; One that went beyond music and into the realm of family, instinct and enduring artistic feeling. Having collaborated with Asha Bhosle on iconic projects such as Rahul & I (Personal Memories) (1996), a reimagining of classics by RD Burman and the chart-topping Jaanam Samjha Karo (1997), Lewis embarked on a creative partnership that left an indelible mark on Indian pop music. “Only a part of the music has become silent” Speaking about the loss, Lewis expressed the collective grief felt across the industry. “Today, it feels like a part of music has gone silent. Asha Bhosle ji was not just a voice, she was a universe of expression,” he said. Highlighting her unmatched versatility he said, “There was a fearlessness to her approach to music, a freedom that allowed her to transcend genres and emotions with unmatched ease, yet remain completely, distinctly herself.” For Lewis, like millions of listeners, his music was deeply connected with life’s moments. He said, “His songs lived with us. They played in our happiest moments, and they lived with us in our silences.” A voice that made songs eternal Reflecting on his artistry, Lewis emphasized his rare ability to transform music into something timeless. He said, “As a musician, I have always believed that very few singers can turn a song into something eternal. Asha ji did it every time.” He also talked about his continued growth as an artist. “She never stood still. She continues to evolve, experiment and surprise us. From the most playful to the most profound, she embraced every shade of music with grace and confidence. “I’ve always called her I.” Beyond the professional bond, Lewis shared a deep personal bond with the singer. He revealed the familial affection that defines their relationship, saying, “I have always called her Aayi. I still do. Aayi is there and will always be there for me.” He noted a unique coincidence that strengthened that bond: “His birthday falls on the same day as my mother’s and Mother Mary’s, so that bond always feels personal.” What mattered most to him was his unwavering passion. “What defines her is her energy. She never loses her hunger for music. Even in her 60s and 70s, she responds to new ideas like someone just starting out.” Instinct, generosity, and ownership Lewis highlighted his innate talent in the studio. He added, “She listens, understands the basics and then adds just enough to move forward without dominating.” Recalling her work in Jaanam Samjha Karo, he said, “It works because she has complete command over it. She doesn’t just sing, she becomes the song.” He also recalled a moment that reflected his generosity. “I remember the Channel V awards. She wins, calls me on stage, and says the song wouldn’t have been made without me. “That generosity is rare.” An era ends, a legacy lives on For Lewis, Asha Bhosle’s passing is more than the loss of an individual – it signals the end of an era. He said, “Today, we are not just mourning a legend, we are realizing the loss of an era that shaped Indian music in a way that cannot be fully expressed in words.” Yet, even in grief, he emphasized the permanence of his legacy. “But her voice will never truly leave us. It will continue to resonate, to inspire, to remind us what true artistry looks like.” Summarizing the sentiment, Lewis said, “Legends like Asha Ji don’t fade away…they become the soul of the music.”

Lalthantluangi (left) with Miss Batei.

As the Indian women’s hockey team begins its preparations for three major tournaments in the coming months with a four-match series against Argentina at Club Ciudad de Buenos Aires from Monday, one player who will try to impress coach Sord Marin is newcomer Lalthantluangi. The Mizo youth was part of the team that won the Junior Asia Cup in 2024 and participated in the Junior World Cup held in Chile last year. However, her real challenge begins now, as Marin looks to pit the team against the world No. 2 team. “She was hoping to get a call-up during the World Cup qualifiers itself and was heartbroken when she didn’t make the team. But I told her to keep believing and work hard, and she was very happy when she was finally selected,” said Miss B’Tei, Lalthantluangi’s longtime coach. Lalthantluangi, who has also played for Ranchi Royals during the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL), trained under Miss Batey from 2016, when she joined the SAI Hockey Center in Thenzawl, until she made it to the junior national camp in 2024. “We selected her after she competed in the Thenzawl Zone Middle School Sports Meet in 2016. She knew nothing about hockey then and played volleyball and football in her village, but we selected her because her physical attributes were very good,” said the coach, who trains around 40 students at Thenzawl Academy. While Miss Batey can’t wait to see her protégé play for the senior team, she is delighted with how her student Lalremsiami has inspired the newcomer to go even further. The coach further said, “Lalremsiami is a big inspiration for the players of Mizoram. She gives a lot of confidence to the youth and helps them in every possible way.” Naturally, Lalremsiami is eager to play with him. “It is a proud moment for me to have my junior in the team, especially since we both are from Mizoram. I know how hard it is to get to this level and how hard it is to get here,” Argentina’s Lalremsiami said. “As a player, he is very disciplined and it’s good to see his progress.” What’s even more special is how eagerly the academy players are waiting to see Lalthantluangi on the field in national colours. She will be the third player after Lalremsiami and Haniyalum Lalruatfeli to play for the Mizoram national women’s hockey team. “The excitement at the institute is very high as another player from here has got a chance to play at the international level. Other students are also very happy and motivated, they hope to play for the Indian team someday,” he said. As far as Marin is concerned, he is looking forward to seeing individual and team performances against the world No. 2 ranked team. “We are here with 23 players who will get a chance to show themselves. We will use this tour as an opportunity to play with different team combinations and find ways to win,” Marijne said in a statement.

Abbas Araghchi (Image/ANI)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran was “inches away” from sealing a deal with Washington during high-level ceasefire talks held in Islamabad, before what he described as US “extremism” caused the talks to collapse.In a post on Twitter, Araghchi said Iran had entered the talks “in good faith” with the aim of ending the months-long conflict. “Iran negotiated with the US in good faith to end the war,” he wrote, adding that at a critical moment, “we faced extremism, shifting goalposts, and a blockade.”He said negotiators had come close to an agreement on what was being called the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”, but the process broke down due to unresolved differences. “Just inches away from an agreement… we faced extremism, shifting goalposts and blockades,” he said. “Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”Iran mocks Trump Hormuz blockade, warns of global energy crisis – follow live updatesThe talks in Pakistan marked the highest level of engagement between the two sides in nearly five decades, and were aimed at securing a fragile ceasefire and addressing long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security issues.However, the discussions ended without consensus, with both sides sharing blame over the failure to bridge key gaps. A US official, speaking anonymously, said Iran had not accepted several US “red lines”, including limits on uranium enrichment and broader safeguards.Shortly after the talks broke down, tensions escalated when US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes.US Central Command later clarified that the measures would focus on Iranian ports and be applied “impartially against ships of all countries”, while still allowing transit between non-Iranian ports through the strait.Iran responded by warning that the waterway would remain under its control. The Revolutionary Guard said military ships would face a “forceful response”, although non-military ships would still be allowed to pass.The renewed conflict has already roiled energy markets, with crude oil prices rising sharply after the blockade was announced.Despite the rupture, diplomatic efforts have not completely collapsed. Pakistan’s foreign minister said Islamabad would continue to facilitate talks, while Iran indicated it was open to further talks. The European Union and Oman also urged restraint and renewed talks, with Moscow offering assistance in mediation.Inside Iran, officials insisted that the failure of the talks was due to American overreach rather than irreconcilable differences on nuclear issues. A senior Iranian negotiator said the discussions failed on “two or three key issues”, and accused Washington of attempting to expand its demands at the last minute.

The failure of the Islamabad talks has left the future of the ceasefire uncertain, with no clarity on what happens next when the current ceasefire period ends at the end of this month.

actress mouni roy Used social media to share a happy memory with the late great singer Asha Bhosle. The clip posted by the ‘Brahmastra’ actress on her official Instagram handle shows Asha Bhosle singing her melodious Bengali track “Jete Daao Amay Dekona”.At the end of the video, Asha Bhosle also expressed her appreciation towards Mouni in Bengali. The ‘Naagin’ actress also repeated Pyaar Ka Badla in Bengali. In the caption, Mouni told that she grew up listening to Asha Bhosle’s songs and dancing on them. He shared that losing Asha ji feels like losing an integral part of his childhood.“There are some sounds that have nothing to do with music, they are related to our lives. I have grown up dancing to your songs, singing them. Today it feels as if we are losing a piece of our childhood, a rhythm that lived quietly in the background of so many memories.” His tribute said, “May your soul rest in those melodies that are eternal… May you always live in love and light.”Many stalwarts from the entertainment industry including Akshay Kumar, Hema Malini, Kajol, Raveena Tandon and others also mourned the loss of the legend on social media.Asha Bhosle was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday and breathed her last on Sunday at the age of 92.Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar made the unfortunate announcement outside the hospital.The singer’s funeral will take place at Shivaji Park on Monday at 4:00 pm.After making her playback singing debut with the Marathi drama ‘Majha Bal’ in 1943, Asha Bhosle went on to sing some memorable hit songs in Bollywood, like ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko’, ‘Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani’, ‘Kya Gajab Karte Ho Ji’, ‘O Haseena Zulfonwale Jaane Jahaan’ and ‘Yeh Boyka Hai Allah Kaisa Hai Deewana’. He is credited with singing around 12,000 songs in around 20 languages. Asha Bhosle has worked with acclaimed singers like Shankar-Jaikishan, RD Burman, OP Nayyar, Ilaiyaraaja, Bappi Lahiri and AR Rahman during her tenure.

Dacre Montgomery found his role as a killer in the new ‘Faces of Death’ movie relevant because of his own experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder. He is associated with the subtle nature of the character and attention to detail, a trait he brings to all his performances. Director Daniel Goldhaber felt that Montgomery’s personal relationship was important in shaping the villain.

dacre montgomery Considering his ‘Faces of Death’ villain role. The actor says that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was the most relatable part of the role. Australian actor stars opposite ‘Euphoria’ star barbie ferreira‘ as Arthur in the new horror film, who recreates and uploads videos of the murders shown in the 1978 film of the same name.

Dacre Montgomery says OCD was the most relatable part of the character

Speaking with People, Montgomery shared that what she found most relatable about her masked and red contact-wearing killer was her experience with OCD. “Certainly the thing about Arthur that was relevant to me was, to be honest, OCD,” he says. “It’s definitely my thing. I live with it and manage with it.”Elaborating on what he found relevant about the villain, the ‘Stranger Things’ alum says, “All the characters I’ve played have that kind of meticulousness and attention to detail, but he’s very methodical.”Montgomery said of Arthur, “By the time you see him in the movie, he’s halfway through executing his plan and he’s put a lot of thought into it.” “And I think I can definitely relate to not having to work toward a murderous plot in my life, but definitely just the attention to detail thing, I felt like I connected with it, yes, in a big way.”

‘Faces of Death’ director believes Dacre Montgomery was best suited for the role

Director of ‘Faces of Death’ Daniel Goldhaberwho also co-wrote the film with Issa Mazzei, says that this overlap in Montgomery and her on-screen killer helped craft the final look of the character. According to the filmmaker, if the role of Arthur had been played by another actor he would have looked very different. “I met with a handful of people for this film,” Goldhaber told the outlet. “As soon as I met Dacre, I felt like it just had to be him because everyone else… they came to this character they were talking about like no one else, like this guy they’d seen in the media. Dacre came in and was like, ‘Here are all the ways I personally relate to Arthur.’ “‘Faces of Death’, which also stars Charli XCX, Josie Tota, Aaron Holiday and Jermaine Fowler, will be released on April 10.