The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Wildlife Warden of Telangana to examine and take immediate steps to protect the wildlife affected on account of deforestation in 100 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih made it clear that not even a single tree should be felled in the area.
It also warned Telangana authorities about sending its officers responsible for deforestation to a “temporary prison” in the “very same spot” if the state justifies the felling of trees.
“If you (State) try to justify then… Better course would be to come up with a plan to restore the forest,” Justice Gavai told senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Telangana.
Justice Gavai further said, “We will go all out of the way for the protection of environment and ecology.”
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, appearing as Amicus Curaie to assist the court in the case, said that the land has been mortgaged to a private party.
“We are not on mortgage and all. We are only on how so many trees were chopped off without the permission of the State government. We are only on dozens of bulldozers and forests of hundred acres being destroyed. If you wanted to do something, you should have sought proper permissions,” said the bench.
Singhvi sought time to study a report prepared by the Central Empowered Committee on the issue, and the apex court gave the state four weeks, while listing the case on May 15.
Earlier, the Supreme Court, while taking suo moto cognisance of the felling of trees at the forest area in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana, stayed the felling of trees at the site and warned the Chief Secretary of the consequences if its order is not complied with.
It had ordered that until further orders, there shall be no activity of any sort at the site, except the protection of trees already existing.
The bench had also said that Chief Secretary of Telangana will be personally responsible and action will be taken if the court’s directions are not complied with in true spirit.
Advocate Parmeshwar had told the bench that massive felling of trees had taken place during the weekend holidays.
The land is located in the IT hub of Hyderabad and has become contentious, with people expressing concerns over the loss of green cover and space for wildlife there.
University of Hyderabad students were protesting against the auction of the land and wanted the land to be transferred to the university. (ANI)
In a first, Indian Railways has installed an ATM on a trial basis — on the Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express in Maharashtra.
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared a video of the ATM on a train on his X timeline.
ATM On Wheels initiative is in accordance with the Railway Board’s directive to explore innovative methods to boost railway revenue through non-fare revenue.
A meeting was held with all potential vendors on March 25, 2025. During the meeting, the concept of installing mobile ATMs on trains was proposed.
Similarly, a trial run was conducted on April 10, 2025, on 12110 Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express. The mini pantry space was converted by the mechanical team into an ATM installation area.
“The ATM was properly secured for its maiden journey with rubber pads and bolts for vibration isolation. Two fire extinguishers have also been provided in the allotted space,” railways said.
In the quest to Viksit Bharat 2047, Indian Railways continued its transformative journey, paving the way for a new era of modernization and progress.
With a strong focus on meeting world class travel experience, boosting freight efficiency, and adopting advanced technologies, the Railways has solidified its role as a catalyst for national growth.
Modern stations, state-of-the-art trains, and innovative safety systems are reshaping the landscape of rail travel.
Under ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’, 1,337 stations have been identified for redevelopment.
Indian Railways achieved 6,450 km of complete track renewal, 8,550 turnout renewals, and raised speeds to 130 kmph over 2,000 km in 2024
Indian Railways electrified 3,210 Rkm in 2024, extending the electrified BG network to 97 per cent with renewable energy capacity reaching 2,014 MW.
A record 136 Vande Bharat trains and the first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail were introduced, alongside 21,513 special train trips during peak seasons.
10,000 Locos being equipped with Kavach safety technology, 9000 technicians trained and bids invited for 15,000 Rkm. (ANI)
21 police personnel of Nashik were left injured due to a mob attack at the Trustees of the Saat Peer Baba Dargah in Nashik when residents gathered to remove the Dargah.
The Dargah was demolished by the Municipal Corporation on Wednesday morning.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kirankumar Chavan, narrating the attack, stated that the attack happened when the Trustee of the Dargah were attacked by a mob while they were removing the Dargah.
“The High Court had directed the removal of the Saat Peer Baba Dargah. As per that direction, the Trustee of the dargah and residents decided that they themselves would remove the dargah. So, in preparation, people and Trustees came here late last night. They were trying to remove the dargah when a mob reached there and opposed this. The Trustees and residents tried to pacify them, but the mob paid no heed. The mob did not listen to the senior Police officials present at the spot either. The mob pelted stones at all of them,” the DCP said.
Further, he stated that 15 people had been detained so far and over 50 bikes had been impounded.
“21 Police officials were injured and they are under treatment in hospitals. Using force, the mob was dispersed from the spot. 15 people have been detained so far, and over 50 bikes from the spot have been impounded. Police personnel are deployed here in large numbers. It is peaceful here now. Procedure of the Municipal Corporation is underway…” he further added. (ANI)
There’s no looking back for safe-haven gold amid the global trade uncertainties that have emanated from Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs and Chinese counter tariffs.
Gold prices on Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) touched yet another record high over weak US dollar, and heighted Trump tariffs on China. At the time of filing this report, gold on MCX was at Rs 95,172 per 10 grams, after touching a record high of Rs 95,435.
“Gold prices raced to an all-time high, driven by a weaker dollar, trade war tensions and concerns over global economic growth due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans which led to safe-haven inflows,” said Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial services Ltd.
Gold prices globally have also been hitting fresh highs, surpassing USD 3,300 per ounce.
The latest rise in gold prices internationally is also attributed to strong demand, including from various central banks investing through ETFs. Persistent geopolitical tensions also boosted the yellow metal’s appeal as a safe haven.
Gold is often considered a hedge against uncertainties. The returns gold has yielded in recent times have been phenomenal.
Publicly available data showed that gold prices rose at an unprecedented pace in 2025, soaring over 20 per cent. Over the past year, they have risen around 40 per cent.
Recently, Sachin Jain, Regional CEO India at World Gold Council (WGC) told ANI that the fundamentals of gold as an asset class are “very strong” and they will continue to be “very strong” throughout the year.
“We believe that the fundamentals of gold are still very strong and they continue to be very strong through the year,” he reiterated. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those killed in the Murshidabad protest over the Waqf Amendment Act.
Addressing the gathering at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium, CM Mamata said that she would ask the Secretary to file a report on it.
“I will ask Chief Secretary to get a report on it. The families of those who lost their lives in the violence will get Rs 10 lakh each. We don’t see the religious identity of victims but their pain. Those who lost their houses will get Banglar Bari (a house scheme funded entirely by her government). For those whose shops were damaged, the Chief Secretary will take estimates and get the work done for them,” CM Mamata said.
Unrest broke out in Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 11. The law has been a contentious issue in the region. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to several others, with widespread property damage.
The West Bengal Police said 150 people have been arrested so far in connection with the Murshidabad violence, and adequate police forces have been deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, and other affected areas of Murshidabad.
The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of supporting the protesters and criticised TMC MP Bapi Halder for making threatening remarks against those protesting Waqf properties.
Mamata Banerjee also launched a scathing attack on the Centre over the recent Waqf Amendment and communal unrest, accusing the BJP-led government of pushing a divisive agenda and failing to secure India’s borders.
“I want to challenge and tell the Government of India – why were you so hurried about the Waqf Amendment? Didn’t you know the situation in Bangladesh? Bengal shares a border with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. I will be happy if it brings good to the country. But what is their plan? To engage in riots by using certain agencies that facilitate movement of people from there? I saw a tweet yesterday quoting Home Ministry sources that Bangladesh is involved in this. If that is the case, the Central government is responsible since BSF guards the borders, not us,” CM Mamata Banerjee said.
“We believe in Sarva Dharma Samabhava. I believe in Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda. I request you to control if someone wants to create unrest in Bengal by getting agitated by the BJP’s statement,” she urged the gathering. (ANI)
Amid ongoing ruckus over the ED filing a prosecution complaint against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday asserted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must be “abolished” since departments including Income Tax already exist to tackle economic offences.
“In my understanding, a department like ED must be abolished. I will ask Congress to ask for the same thing. There are several institutions that look into economic offences. Having ED means that you are not even trusting your own organisations like the Income Tax department or GST,” Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, said in a press conference.
He stated that many parties had opposed the establishment of ED during the Congress’ tenure, telling them that it might cause them trouble in the future. He added that leaders who spoke against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra had to face investigative agencies.
“The Congress itself made this ED law. At that time, many parties opposed it, telling Congress that you were bringing such a law that could ultimately cause trouble to you. Any leader who was against the BJP in Maharashtra faced ED, CBI, and the income tax department,” Yadav added.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday criticised the BJP-led government, accusing it of targeting the Congress party to cover up its failures. This follows the Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaint against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and others in the alleged National Herald money laundering case.
Kharge claimed that the BJP-led government’s economic mismanagement was spiralling out of control and said there was no vision or solutions, only attempts to divert attention from its mistakes.
Taking to social media, X, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote, “Your despotic Sarkar is hell-bent on targeting the Congress to whitewash its own sins. BJP’s economic mismanagement is spiralling out of control. Desperation is gathering steam. No vision, no solution, only diversion!”
On Tuesday, the ED filed a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey and others, including several firms. The matter has been listed for arguments on cognisance in the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on April 25. (ANI)
Reacting to the White House’s statement claiming China now faces up to 245 per cent tariffs on imports to the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said they should ask the US side for the “specific tax rate figures.”
While addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, Lin said that China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on the tariff issue. He said that the tariff war was initiated by the US and that Beijing has taken countermeasures to protect its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, terming it completely “reasonable and legal.”
He noted that tariff and trade wars have no winner. However, he said that China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them. He expressed China’s commitment to joining hands and removing barriers.
Earlier in a statement shared on X, Lin Jian stated, “In a world full of uncertainties, China remains committed to joining hands, not throwing punches; removing barriers, not erecting walls; promoting connectivity, not pursuing decoupling.”
While sharing the statement on X, Lin wrote, “China is the world’s market and a source of opportunities for every country.”
Lin Jian’s statement came after the White House fact sheet stated that China’s retaliatory actions have resulted in up to a 245 per cent tariff on imports to the United States. Prior to the latest revision, a 145 per cent tariff was being levied on Chinese exports to the United States.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the country has a trade deficit. Later, Trump decided to pause the tariffs for 90 days after many countries initiated talks with the US administration for a trade deal.”
More than 75 countries have already reached out to discuss new trade deals,” the White House fact sheet said.
“As a result, the individualised higher tariffs are currently paused amid these discussions, except for China, which retaliated,” the fact sheet added.
For the time being, a baseline tariff of 10 per cent would be applicable on US imports. Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all countries and individualised reciprocal higher tariffs on nations with which the US has the largest trade deficits to level the playing field and protect America’s national security.
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions on China during the press briefing. When asked if Trump would reduce tariffs on China to complete the TikTok deal, Leavitt said that Trump’s position on China is “quite clear.”
In her remarks, Leavitt said, “The President has made his position on China quite clear, although I do have an additional statement that he just shared with me in the Oval Office. The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them.”
She elaborated, “There’s no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger. And China wants what we have, what every country wants, what we have — the American consumer, or to put it another way, they need our money.”
She further added, “So the President again has made it quite clear that he’s open to a deal with China, but China needs to make a deal with the United States of America.”
Trump unveiled the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” on trade to restore fairness in US trade relationships and counter non-reciprocal trade agreements. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs have led to a broad-based fall in global financial markets, with markets plunging in Asia and Europe.
The reciprocal tariffs have set off a sell-off in equities globally, and the US itself is no exception. Investors fear that the moves concerning global trade may raise inflation, risking economic growth. Since assuming office for his second term, Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that the US will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to ensure fair trade. (ANI)
Aayushi Rana, a post-grad in History from Aligarh Muslim Univsersity, says the Gen Z feel their online identity is more important than who they are in real life. Her views
Even though Adolescence, a widely seen Netflix series,is set in a UK school, the emotions it captures—feeling lost, pressured, judged, or unseen—are so familiar that they have struck a chord here in India too, especially in the cities.
Whether it’s a teenager in London, or in Delhi, the desire to fit in with a virtual society, often unknown, the anxiety of being left out of a group chat, or the pressure to look pretty, perfect, and attractive, online, feels eerily similar. The world might look different on the outside, but the struggles and dangers of growing up in the age of an obsessive social media, with all kinds of stuff floating on it relentlessly, are more or less universal.
Young people, including schoolkids, are navigating a world where their online identity can often feel more important than who they are in real life, and that’s something that crosses borders. We are living in a time where screens are no longer just tools—they are an extension of our daily lives.
The Gen Z wakes up with notifications and go to bed scrolling through social media. This constant exposure is reshaping how they think and feel. It’s not just about being online—it’s about ‘always being seen’. And that can be psychologically and emotionally exhausting.
The pressure to present a perfect version of themselves can lead to insecurity, anxiety, loneliness, and even emotional burn-out. It also makes them more vulnerable to harmful trends, cyber-bullying, and misinformation. They can be trapped by frauds pretending to share the same wavelength, and professional predators, looking for vulnerable prey. Indeed, when you are still figuring out who you are, it’s easy to get caught up in toxic cycles without even realizing it.
Girls carry a heavier emotional burden in the digital world; they are judged more often and harshly, be their looks, outfits or behavior online. A lot of them are constantly comparing themselves to filtered images and celebrity standards, which can seriously damage their self-confidence. I have spoken to girls who avoid posting anything at all because they are scared of being trolled or shamed.
Rana feels traditional India family structure helps make children feel secure
This kind of pressure doesn’t just stay online—it creeps into their everyday life, making them doubt their worth, or choose to stay silent when they should be heard. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s something we need to talk about more openly.
There is strength in India’s family structure. When it works well, it gives kids a real sense of belonging and safety. Having grandparents around or close family connections can mean there are more people to notice when something feels off, or, to simply listen when a teenager needs to vent.
But that’s not always the case, especially in urban nuclear families, and impersonal gated societies, where parents are busy, or working couples, and kids are often left to figure things out on their own. Sometimes, the emotional distance between generations makes it hard for teenagers to open up—especially when the adults don’t really understand, or try to understand, the digital world their kids are growing up in.
Banning mobiles might sound like a quick fix, in fact, it can backfire. It can only push kids to hide things or feel like they are being being punished, instead of being supported. What really helps is having open, honest conversations—without judgment. When young people feel safe to talk about what’s going on in their online lives, they are far more likely to come to you when something goes wrong.
We also need to help them build digital awareness—teaching them how to think critically about what they see online and how to protect their emotional health. And, yes, setting some healthy boundaries together, like screen-free dinners, or time to unwind without devices, can really help.
However, at the end of the day, it’s about building trust, not control. Teens need to know we are on their side. Adolescence is not just a phase—it’s a turbulent storm of ‘being and becoming’.
In a world of glowing screens and suppressed angst, our children are growing up in shadows we often fail to see. They don’t need judgments from us—they need a trusted presence. Friendship. Understanding. They need our silence so that we can listen to them; our questions have to be kind and intelligent, and our love should be unwavering.
If we can meet them where they are, with open hearts and steady hands, maybe—just maybe—we can help them find their way through the chaos and noise, the dangers and traps, towards a world where they feel safe and happy to be fully, unapologetically, themselves; what they really are — innocent, pure, eclectic hearts and minds, full of wonder, dreams and aspirations.
(The narrator is a Senior Researcher at Digitial Forensics Research Analytics Centre. She is also a Digital Forensics trainer, having conducted training sessions for journalists from across the world on misinformation, fake news, digital safety and skilled verification techniques.)
Malayalam actress Vincy Sony Aloshious has accused a co-star of misbehaviour while allegedly under the influence of drugs on the sets during the movie’s production.
Actress Aloshious, who recently attended an anti-drug awareness campaign, faced criticism after she stated that she would not work in movies which cast actors who use drugs.
After the divided opinion of netizens on her statement, the actress shared an Instagram video clarifying that her decision to not work with actors abusing drugs stemmed from an unpleasant experience she had with her co-actor in her previous film.
“Some days back at an anti-drug campaign programme, I made a statement that I will not do movies again with people I know who use drugs. After this statement, there have been several comments. When I read those comments, I felt that I should clear certain things as to why I made such a statement. I am doing this video because I wanted to make my stand clear,” said Aloshious.
The ‘Rekha’ actress said that her co-star, a male actor, allegedly misbehaved with her and her colleague under the influence of drugs during the making of the movie.
Without naming the co-star, Aloshious recalled her co-actor’s misbehaviour and said that when she had a problem with her dress in the film, he publicly offered to come with her to fix it.
The lead actor’s misbehaviour made it difficult for her to work in the film, she added.
“When I was part of a movie, an artist, a main artist who hold that movie, this was the experience I had from that artist. The artist used drugs and misbehaved to me and my colleague.”
She continued, ” For example, when I had a problem with my dress, I went to correct it. He said,” I will also come and correct it for you. “He said this in front of everyone. It was very difficult to go ahead with the shoot.”
Recalling another incident of alleged drug abuse by the actor, Aloshious said,
“When we were practising a scene, he was spitting some kind of white powder onto the table. It was very evident that he was using drug on the film set.”
Aloshious also shared that despite the discomfort and making it clear to the producers, she continued with the project because the actor was the lead artist in the movie.
“Everyone knew about this , the director went and spoke . This is one person they took as main artist , so they had to somehow finish that movie.” concluded Vincy Sony Aloshious in her statement clarification video on Instagram.
Vincy Aloshious is known for films like Rekha, Vikruthi and Jana Gana Mana. (ANI)
A day after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a Gurugram land deal case, Businessman Robert Vadra said on Wednesday that he is “too strong for all this.”
He further posted a political cartoon, taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party as he alleged that there is a ‘witch hunt’ and ‘political vendetta’ being carried out against him and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
However, according to sources, Vadra has been summoned for questioning again today (April 16).
Vadra has maintained that he is innocent and that ‘truth will prevail.’
“I’m here for any kind of unjust pressure. I believe in the truth, and truth will prevail,” Vadra posted on Facebook.
His remarks come after he claimed that restrictions were put on his “birthday week seva.” Taking a veiled dig at the government, Vadra said that he would continue to fulfil the basic needs of people until he was stopped from speaking against “injustice” towards minorities.
“My Birthday Week Seva has been paused for a few days. Plans I have made for feeding the elderly and gifts for all the children in different areas will be continued as soon as I get over the ‘Government’s ways of stopping Me’, from doing good and speaking about their unjust behaviour towards minorities, or if there are wishes and talks of me being in politics,” Vadra added.
After hours of Enforcement Directorate questioning in connection to the Gurugram land case, Vadra alleged that federal agencies were being misused. He asserted that he had nothing to hide.
After hours of grilling, Robert Vadra left the ED office after interrogation in the Gurugram land case.”All the questions which I have answered before are being answered again. There is no issue. I have nothing to hide. Everything is answered; everything will be answered again,” he said.
He said that he submitted more than 20,000 documents to the agency in 2019, too, calling the summons “politically motivated.”
Vadra said, “23,000 documents were submitted in 2019. The case that they are asking me about is a 20-year-old case. This is politically motivated. We abide by all the rules and regulations when we do any transaction. The ruling government always misuses the agency. They can ask me as many questions. I have nothing to hide. All is good.” (ANI)
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