Limited night traffic allowed through Bandipur forest, says Minister Eshwara Khandre
Bengaluru: Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced that restricted vehicular movement, including two buses and one ambulance, will be permitted inside the Bandipur forest area during nighttime hours. This decision marks a slight relaxation of the strict night travel ban that has been in place to protect the sensitive wildlife habitat.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, Khandre explained that the original ban was enforced to minimize human interference in the forest, a critical tiger reserve known for its biodiversity. However, exceptions were made following persistent requests from various political leaders and public representatives advocating for essential transport services.
In addition to addressing transport policy, Khandre highlighted the release of a new wildlife documentary titled "Cauvery: River of Life". Created by conservationists Saravan Kumar and Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, the film explores the ecological importance of the Cauvery River and the struggles faced by wildlife that depend on its waters, particularly during the harsh summer months.
The documentary vividly portrays the transformations along the river over time, capturing the richness of wildlife in the Cauvery and Male Mahadeshwara Hills sanctuaries. Featured species include elephants, deer, wild dogs, frogs, and various birds, revealing their adaptive lifestyles in forests increasingly affected by climate change and human encroachment. Khandre noted that the film raises critical awareness about conservation challenges, emphasizing the need for sustainable policies to balance development and environmental protection.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
