Permit kids to grow plants beside roads in Bengaluru, DKShi's message to BBMP officers
► World Environment Day
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who inaugurated the World Environment Day programme at Rachenahalli near Byatarayanapura on Monday by planting a sapling, told BBMP officials to give schoolchildren the privilege of growing trees by roads.
Addressing the BBMP officials who attended the event, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Submit a report at the earliest on the roads in the city that have no trees beside them. Also hand schoolchildren the responsibility of planting and growing saplings by these roads.”
Shivakumar instructed the BBMP officers to provide saplings for the children to plant and also install protective barricades around the saplings. “Every child planting a sapling should be permitted to water and grow the plant. The child should also be permitted to put a tag with his/her name on the plant. Ensure that the children develop a sense of competition regarding growing the plants. This will help the children grow the plants with enthusiasm, care and delight too,” he advised the BBMP officers.
The Deputy Chief Minister said, “A comprehensive plan for a long-term scheme related to growing plants and conservation of the environment should be prepared within a month’s time. This is the first task that I, as Bengaluru Development Minister, assign to the BBMP officers,” and added that officials in the Forest Department, the BBMP and the Horticulture Department should contribute to planning the scheme.
Shivakumar reminded that conservation of the environment was extremely important due to our heavy dependence on environment for various needs. “Organizing a World Environment Day programme is only symbolic. Our effort on a daily basis at conservation of the environment and the green cover is what truly matters. Only when we grow plants as caringly as we raise our children does it imply that we respect the World Environment Day. Our changed lifestyle has also forced us to use artificial plants in place of natural plants,” he pointed out with a sense of irony.
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The Latest: Kuwait blames Iran for drone strikes as Trump casts doubt on ceasefire
Dubai (AP): US President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the two-week ceasefire over Iran's continued chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, while Kuwait accused Iran and its proxies of launching drone attacks targeting it on Thursday despite the ceasefire.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching attacks on Persian Gulf states after Kuwait's announcement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a potential boost to ceasefire efforts in the region when he said he had approved direct talks with Lebanon. The Lebanese government has not responded as of Friday morning.
The announcement came after Israel's pounding of Beirut Wednesday killed more than 300 people. The negotiations are expected next week in Washington, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Questions remained over what will happen to Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium at the heart of tensions, how and when normal traffic will resume through the Strait of Hormuz, and what happens to Iran's ability to launch future missile attacks and support armed proxies in the region.
Talks between the United States and Iran on a resolution to the conflict are expected to start Saturday in Islamabad, with the White House saying Vice President JD Vance would lead the US delegation.
Here is the latest:
Air defence fire and explosions heard in Iran
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Multiple times overnight into Friday morning, people around Iran's capital, Tehran, and other parts of the country said they heard what sounded like air defence fire and explosions.
However, Iran's government did not acknowledge any attack during that period.
After past exchanges of fire with Israel, similar incidents happened as troops remained on edge.
Japan releases more oil reserves
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Japan said it will release an additional 20 days' worth of oil reserves in May, in a second round to address supply uncertainty over the war in the Middle East.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the planned release of the government reserves will start in early May, after an earlier release last month.
Japan started releasing about 50 days' worth of oil reserves in March, including from those held by the state, the private sector and oil-producing Gulf nations.
As of April 6, Japan had 230 days' worth oil reserves, including 143 days' worth in government stockpiles, according to the Natural Resources and Energy Agency.
Takaichi said her government is working to secure oil imports via routes that do not include the Strait of Hormuz, while Japan seeks to diversify suppliers.
Pakistan to issue visas on arrival ahead of talks
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Pakistan said Friday it would issue visas on arrival for those travelling to Islamabad for the Iran-US talks, signalling the interest in the world's media in the event.
