The Times of India

On World Water Day, 350 volunteers, led by environmentalist Subhajit Mukherjee, removed 3,000 kg of plastic from Manori Beach. This significant cleanup, involving students and various groups, filled over 400 garbage bags. The initiative, supported by Leave India, marks the start of a year-long mission to tackle the 100 tonnes of plastic still polluting the coastline.

An upcoming exhibition in Worli, 'Alchemy of Light,' will showcase eight artists exploring metal leafing techniques from April 12 to May 11, 2026. Curated by Bina Aziz, the show features artists like Arzan Khambatta and Laila Khan, who use gold, silver, and copper leaf to create works that dynamically respond to light, highlighting texture, fragility, and renewal.

Commuters faced disruptions today as Central Railway implemented a megablock on the Trans Harbour line between Thane and Vashi/Nerul from 11:10 am to 4:10 pm for essential engineering works. This led to the suspension of Up and Down services, with several trains cancelled.

Mahim social worker Syed M. Ismail has called on BEST and BMC to urgently restore and expand street lighting at Reti Bunder Beach. He highlighted that non-functional and insufficient lights create an unsafe environment, increasing the risk of untoward incidents. Ismail urged for high-focus lights and additional poles to enhance public safety and deter anti-social activities.

Western Railway commuters will experience relief today as there are no day blocks scheduled. Overnight blocks were conducted between Vasai Road and Virar for slow line trains to run on the fast line, and at Prabhadevi for girder de-launching. These blocks led to cancellations, short-terminations, and reversals of suburban services.

AIMIM's M East ward committee chairperson Khairunnisa Akbar Hussain faced controversy after displaying her husband's photograph in her office. The BJP objected, leading to the photo's removal. Hussain stated party workers placed the picture and she had it taken down upon notification, feeling the issue was exaggerated.

Two Tunnel Boring Machines for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project have arrived, overcoming geopolitical delays. These machines will tackle the challenging 20.37-km underground stretch, including a 7-km subsea tunnel. This development signals progress for India's first high-speed rail corridor, designed for speeds up to 320 kmph.

Sanjay Raut, a prominent figure in Shiv Sena (UBT), provocatively claims in his latest book that former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation in 2025 was driven by coercive tactics from the Enforcement Directorate over his bold political maneuvers against the Modi government.

Maharashtra has seen a surge in autonomous colleges, more than tripling to 314 by 2025, with Mumbai University leading. Eased UGC norms, including removing the 'A' grade requirement, have fueled this growth. While proponents highlight enhanced course flexibility, concerns about diluted academic standards and potential fee hikes are being raised, prompting calls for careful selection and continuous monitoring of institutions.

Iran's iconic heritage sites, including Unesco-listed Golestan Palace and Naqsh-e Jahan Square, have reportedly sustained damage from US-Israel airstrikes. While not always directly hit, shockwaves and falling debris caused harm to these ancient monuments. Historians and heritage enthusiasts express outrage, emphasizing the universal value of these sites.