UK Parliament passes Tobacco and Vapes Bill banning cigarette sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, aiming to create a smoke-free generation and regulate vaping in public spaces.

Children aged 17 or younger will face a lifetime ban on buying cigarettes after the Tobacco and Vapes Bill cleared Parliament, paving the way for the creation of a “smoke-free generation.” Under the legislation, it will be illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

The bill, now agreed upon by both the Commons and the House of Lords, will come into effect once it receives royal assent. It also grants ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including their flavours, packaging and marketing.

Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh and co-founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Nadendla Bhaskara Rao died at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) morning after a long illness. He was 90. Mr. Bhaskara Rao was undergoing treatment for old-age-related ailments at a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad, a Jana Sena Party release said.

His son, Nadendla Manohar, a key Jana Sena leader, is the Minister for Civil Supplies, Food and Consumer Affairs in the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh.

A delegation led by Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) Chairman C. Divakar Reddy on Tuesday presented the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy at the ‘World Climate Cities Forum’ held at Yeosu in South Korea as part of the Korea Green Transition Week.

Highlighting the Chief Minister’s vision of transforming Andhra Pradesh into a global clean energy hub and achieving net-zero emissions by 2047, the TUDA Chairman recalled that the State government was actively promoting renewable energy while ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for all consumers.

Indian infrastructure giant Larsen and Toubro said on Wednesday that its green energy unit has signed an ‌agreement with Japanese trading firm ITOCHU Corp for the long-term supply of 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia per annum.

L&T Energy GreenTech will supply green ammonia, a key fuel option to ‌decarbonise the shipping sector, from its proposed production facility in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

ITOCHU aims to develop a global green ammonia supply ecosystem across crucial maritime trade routes, including Singapore.

Indian companies ‌are increasingly winning orders to supply green ammonia to ‌countries including South Korea and Japan.

The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), a new regulatory body set up under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, will become operational from May 1, as per a government notification.

The authority will function as a digital office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The OGAI will be chaired by the additional secretary of MeitY. Its members will include the joint secretary-level officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Department of Legal Affairs.

Pakistan Navy has successfully tested its indigenously developed air-launched cruise missile named “Taimoor,” according to the military media wing ISPR. The system is described as an anti-ship cruise missile designed to strengthen Pakistan’s naval strike capability. ISPR claimed the live weapon test demonstrated high precision, operational readiness, and long-range targeting ability.

INS Nireekshak, the Indian Navy’s Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, arrived in Colombo on Tuesday (April 21, 2026) to participate in the fourth edition of the India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026), scheduled from April 21 to 27.

According to the Indian Navy, the bilateral exercise will be conducted over a week and brings together diving teams from both navies to undertake specialised underwater operations and training. The engagement aims to enhance interoperability, operational cohesion, and the exchange of best practices between the two maritime forces.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has announced the designation of Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, as a Ramsar site.

In a post on X, Yadav said the recognition would support local livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and water and climate security.

He noted that the development makes it Uttar Pradesh's 12th Ramsar site and India's 99th, bringing the country closer to a total of 100 Ramsar sites.

Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra has secured the first rank in the country for conducting awareness activities under the eighth National Nutrition Fortnight campaign implemented by the Women and Child Development Department. The district has recorded a total of 324,075 activities so far.

Pune district has achieved the second position nationwide, as informed by Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Gajanan Patil.

This year’s Nutrition Fortnight is centered on the theme “Brain Development in the First Six Years of a Child’s Life.”

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today announced the designation of Uttar Pradesh’s Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary as a Ramsar site. In a social media post, the Minister said that this marks the state’s 12th Ramsar Site and the country’s 99th, bringing India closer to a historic century.

He said that this inclusion will boost local livelihoods and global biodiversity, as well as water and climate security. He added that the sanctuary acts as a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, providing a vital habitat for migratory birds such as the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and various ducks during the winter season.

The Minister underlined that the Government, under its ecosystem restoration mission, is committed to conserving wetlands and the natural habitats of animals, particularly birds. He advised everyone to visit the sanctuary.