A 70-year-old man from Bhiwandi, Thane, allegedly lost Rs 1.29 crore after cyber fraudsters lured him into investing through a fake online trading app promoted via a WhatsApp group. Police have registered a case against the accused, but no arrests have been made so far.
Gujarat man held in Thane with methaqualone worth Rs 11.12 lakh - Rediff
Drug Bust In Thane: Man Held With Methaqualone
A man was arrested in Thane city with 1.11 kilograms of methaqualone powder, valued at Rs 11.12 lakh. The arrest was made on October 30 at Kharegaon toll plaza, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
The revised water supply schedule covers Ghodbunder Road, Mumbra, Kalwa, Vartak Nagar and several other localities across Thane.
4 FDA officials suspended over alleged unauthorised raids in Pune, 21 others to face inquiry
Four officials from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration have been suspended for conducting unauthorized raids. The Chief Minister approved this action following allegations regarding the officials' misconduct. A departmental inquiry is also being initiated against 21 other officials involved in the matter. This inquiry will investigate the actions of officials from the Thane and Pune divisions. Further action will be determined based on the findings of this investigation.
Indian-American lawmakers oppose census plan
Digital Desk | Washington, Oct 31 (IANS) Five Indian-American lawmakers joined more than 150 House Democrats in demanding that the Trump administration withdraw a proposed census rule that would exclude some non-citizens from the population used to allocate congressional seats. Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam and Shri Thanedar signed the public comment letter, according to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. The effort was led by Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and the chairs of the Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, Black and Equality caucuses. We will fight this rule in Congress and the courts, Garcia said. The lawmakers argued that the proposal would violate the 14th Amendments requirement that representation reflect the number of people in each state. They said restrictions on demographic questions would weaken enforcement of voting rights and other civil rights protections. Grace Meng, who chairs the Asian Pacific American caucus, said the changes could cost minority communities representation and resources and weaken data needed to identify disparities. Under the bureaus proposal, lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green-card holders, would remain included in the apportionment population. Undocumented immigrants and non-citizens with legal status less permanent than a green card, including temporary visa holders, would be excluded. The proposed rule would also bar questions about race, ethnicity and sexual orientation on census questionnaires used to enumerate the population. That restriction would not apply to the American Community Survey or other surveys that do not enumerate the population. The bureau argues that lasting residence and allegiance to the United States should determine who is counted for apportionment. The agency is considering administrative records to establish individuals legal status and is seeking comments on whether to add a legal-status question to the census form. Separately, Republican Representative Mary Miller of Illinois announced a letter Friday supporting the proposal and urging the administration to go further by excluding all non-citizens, including green-card holders, from congressional apportionment. Millers group also sought restrictions on demographic questions in the American Community Survey, extending beyond the bureaus proposal. She argued that congressional representation should be determined by American citizens. The National Conference of State Legislatures, in comments published Friday, sought a further 60 days for public responses and consultation with states over the changes. The organisation said census data were essential for drawing electoral boundaries and that American Community Survey estimates and administrative records could not adequately replace detailed census counts for that purpose. It warned that changing the information collected without consulting states could complicate compliance with their redistricting laws. It said the survey generally provides data for larger geographical areas than individual census blocks, potentially forcing states to develop costly methods to allocate the information to the smaller units used to build electoral maps. The Census Bureau published the proposal on September 10. An October 5 notice extended the public comment deadline from October 13 to November 2. The United States conducts a census every 10 years. Its population figures are used to divide the House of Representatives 435 seats among the 50 states.
BJP to organise Save Democracy march in Thane on November 1
Private tanker rates soar to Rs 4,000 amid water cuts, say Thane residents
Thane civic staff to get Rs 25,000 Diwali bonus, ASHA workers Rs 6,000
Gujarats first bullet train power substation nears completion at Bilimora
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 30 (IANS) The first Traction Substation (TSS) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is nearing completion at Bilimora in Gujarats Navsari district, as work progresses on the 14 substations planned to supply power along the 508-km high-speed rail corridor. The substation, spread across approximately 18,000 square metres, is at an advanced stage of construction, with equipment installation, testing and commissioning activities under way. Installation work in the control panel, changeover switch, transformer and circuit breaker buildings has been completed. Work on all gantry towers and beams has also been finished. A total of 14 traction substations (TSS) are being developed along the corridor to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for the bullet trains. These substations will receive electricity from the grid, transform it to the required voltage levels and feed it into the traction power system that powers the trains. Of the 14 substations, five will be located in Maharashtra at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar and Thane Depot, while the remaining nine will be in Gujarat at Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Mahemdavad, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati Depot. In Gujarat, the traction substations will receive electricity from the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited's (GETCO) 220 kV Ambetha Grid Substation. The power will subsequently be supplied to the overhead equipment (OHE) installed along the viaduct through the 2 25 kV traction power supply system adopted for the corridor. The system is designed to distribute electricity to the overhead equipment, which transfers power to the trains through their pantographs. The entire traction power supply network will be monitored in real time from a centralised control centre to oversee the electricity supply along the corridor. The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is India's first bullet train project, connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat. The 14 traction substations will form a key part of its power infrastructure, supporting the operation of trains along the route.
A Thane businessman and social media influencer are embroiled in a legal dispute involving serious allegations of extortion and harassment. Legal Battle Erupts Between Thane Businessman and Social Media Influencer Over Allegations of Extortion
Rs 1.5 Cr Mephedrone Seized In Mumbra Drug Bust
Mumbra Police in Thane have seized mephedrone worth over Rs 1.50 crore from four foreign nationals, including three Tanzanians and one Nigerian, following a raid on Thursday. The accused have been booked under the NDPS Act, and authorities have urged residents to conduct tenant verification for foreign nationals.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 30 (IANS) The Central Cyber Police Station has arrested Kiran Laxman Tamhane, a resident of Pune, Maharashtra, in connection with a digital arrest scam in which an elderly doctor couple from Jaipur was allegedly cheated of Rs 76 lakh. The accused was arrested in Thane and brought to Jaipur on a transit warrant. Four people have been arrested so far in the case. The fraudsters allegedly posed as officials of the police, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and National Investigation Agency (NIA), threatening the couple with arrest over alleged links to terrorist activities and money laundering. During the investigation, approximately Rs 50 lakh of the defrauded amount was traced to an ICICI Bank account belonging to Tamhane's company. The action was taken under the ongoing campaign against cybercrime, particularly digital arrest frauds, initiated on the directions of Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma. Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Crime) Vijay Kumar Singh shared details of the investigation. According to the police, the complainant, a Jaipur resident, and his wife received a WhatsApp call from the fraudsters. Using different mobile numbers, the accused impersonated police officers and claimed that the couple's Aadhaar cards had been misused in connection with terrorist activities and large-scale financial crimes. They threatened the couple with arrest and warned that other family members could also face serious legal consequences. The fraudsters subsequently sent a forged NIA notice through WhatsApp and assured the couple that an NOC or security clearance certificate would be issued after a few days. They maintained continuous psychological pressure through WhatsApp voice and video calls, keeping the victims under constant surveillance. The couple was also forced to share details of their fixed deposits and photographs of official documents. Under pressure and acting on the fraudsters' instructions, the elderly couple liquidated their savings and transferred a total of Rs 76 lakh into multiple bank accounts. During the investigation, the cyber police analysed the WhatsApp numbers used by the accused, along with Call Detail Records (CDR), Customer Application Forms (CAF), IP Detail Records (IPDR) and bank account statements linked to suspicious mobile numbers. The investigation revealed that money deposited into one bank account was transferred through RTGS to another account on the same day and subsequently moved to a third account the following day. This established a chain of rapid financial transactions through which the defrauded money was allegedly routed across multiple accounts. Based on banking records, transaction trails and technical evidence, the police initially arrested three people from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Further investigation led the team to Kiran Laxman Tamhane, identified as the first beneficiary to receive a portion of the defrauded money. During interrogation, Tamhane reportedly disclosed that his company's ICICI Bank account, belonging to K.T. Multi Service Private Limited, had been used in the cyber fraud. Approximately Rs 50 lakh was deposited into the account before being transferred to other bank accounts. Police said Tamhane, in alleged collusion with Jigna Prathamesh Sawant (Rathod) and Anurag Maheshwari, facilitated the use of the company's bank account details, net banking credentials, including user ID and password, chequebooks and mobile SIM cards. According to the police, Tamhane claimed that he had shared the banking details after being offered investment opportunities in real estate and promised a commission on the profits. Investigators believe that the company's bank account and associated banking credentials were used to receive and transfer proceeds of the alleged cyber fraud. The cyber police are continuing their technical investigation, examining WhatsApp records, CDRs, CAF details, IPDR data and banking transactions to establish the complete money trail. The investigation is also focused on identifying the subsequent destinations of the defrauded money and other individuals involved in the network. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime) Shantanu Kumar Singh and the leadership of Station House Officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police Gajendra Sharma. The police team included Inspector Ajay Kumar and Constables Bhivaram and Sachchidanand.
Mumbai local train updates: Central Railway to operate mega block on November 1
The block will be operated on the UP and DOWN Slow lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Vidhyavihar on the Main line, and on the UP and DOWN Trans-Harbour lines between Thane and Vashi/Nerul
Thane Man Jailed For Attacking Wife, Rescuer
A court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a 32-year-old autorickshaw driver to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to murder his estranged wife and stabbing a man who intervened. The attack, which occurred in November 2021, left his wife with a 40% permanent disability in both hands.
Two Nigerians Arrested In Thane Drug Haul
Police in Thane, Maharashtra, have arrested two Nigerian nationals and seized mephedrone and cocaine valued at Rs 2.2 crore. The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai police conducted the operation, which is part of a larger drug case where nine individuals have been arrested so far.
India says AI, maritime security key priorities for its UNSC candidature for202829
Mr. Parvathaneni underscored the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime commerce, saying recent attacks against commercial shipping have demonstrated how disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints can have consequences far beyond their immediate geography
AI, maritime security key priorities for 2028-29 UNSC bid: India at UN
Maritime security and Artificial Intelligence will be key priorities for India during its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term, India's envoy to the UN has said. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said on Thursday that technology must make shared maritime commons safer, not more contested. Oceans are the arteries of global commerce, connecting economies, sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food and energy security. Their safety and security are indispensable to international peace and prosperity, Parvathaneni said. Addressing the high-level open debate on 'Emerging Technologies and Maritime Security: Implications for Peace and Security' at the Security Council, India has identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) and maritime security as important priorities for its candidature to the Security Council for 20282029. Parvathaneni said that emerging technologies are fundamentally transforming the
India says AI, maritime security key priorities for its UNSC candidature for 202829
United Nations, Oct 30: Maritime security and Artificial Intelligence will be key priorities for India during its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term, India's envoy to the UN has said. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said on Thursday that technology must make shared maritime commons safer, not more contested. Oceans are the arteries of global commerce, connecting economies, sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food and energy security. Their safety and security are indispensable to international peace and prosperity, Parvathaneni said. Addressing the high-level open debate on Emerging Technologies and Maritime Security: Implications for Peace and Security at the Security Council, India has identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) and maritime security as important priorities for its candidature to the Security Council for 20282029. Parvathaneni said that emerging technologies are fundamentally transforming the maritime domain. Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, satellite-based surveillance and advanced cyber capabilities offer unprecedented opportunities to strengthen maritime security. Equally, their misuse presents new challenges that demand our collective attention, he said. Our objective is clear: technology must strengthen human security, not undermine it; it must expand opportunity, not inequality; and it must make our shared maritime commons safer, not more contested. India stands ready to work with all partners towards this objective, he said. India stressed that technological advances must not deepen existing disparities. Developing countries require access to technology, training and institutional capabilities to secure their maritime infrastructure and participate meaningfully in shaping technological governance, Parvathaneni said. New Delhi has announced its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council for the 2028-29 term, elections for which will be conducted in June next year, when India and Tajikistan will compete for the sole seat in the Asia-Pacific Group category. Parvathaneni underscored the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime commerce, saying recent attacks against commercial shipping have demonstrated how disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints can have consequences far beyond their immediate geography. They threaten seafarers, disrupt supply chains and disproportionately affect developing countries through higher costs and economic uncertainty, he said, reiterating Indias strong condemnation of attacks against commercial vessels. He said Delhi reiterates the importance of freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and the safety of seafarers, in accordance with international law. Highlighting the need to harness technology to strengthen maritime security, Parvathaneni said AI-enabled analysis of satellite imagery, radar and vessel-tracking data can improve maritime domain awareness, detect suspicious activities and support search and rescue operations. In this context, India's Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region, located near New Delhi, demonstrates the value of cooperation and information-sharing in strengthening maritime security. Our approach is guided by the vision of SAGAR Security and Growth for All in the Region and the broader commitment to inclusive maritime cooperation, he said. Calling on the international community to address emerging technological vulnerabilities, he said increasing digitalisation and automation also expose ports, vessels, communication networks and undersea infrastructure to cyber threats. The proliferation of autonomous systems raises complex questions of attribution, accountability and unintended escalation. We must therefore ensure appropriate safeguards, meaningful human oversight and clear responsibility in the deployment of emerging technologies, he said. India emphasised that the UN Charter and international law, including the law of the sea as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), provide the essential framework for State conduct. India also called for strengthening international cooperation while respecting institutional mandates, saying the work of the International Maritime Organisation and other relevant institutions must be reinforced, not duplicated. The Security Council should focus on technological developments with demonstrable implications for international peace and security, encouraging practical cooperation, confidence-building and resilience, Parvathaneni said. The debate was held under Greeces Presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. In September, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had co-chaired an event AI in the Context of International Peace & Security, with an Emphasis on Maritime Security, alongside Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly week. Jaishankar had emphasized the need to harness the possibilities offered by AI, anticipate its consequences and mitigate its risks. He had stressed that in the maritime domain, AI can enhance maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, disaster response, identification of suspicious activity and resilience of ports and critical infrastructure.
AI, maritime security key priorities for its UNSC candidature for202829: India
Technology must make shared maritime commons safer, not more contested, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni says
Mumbai: Golden jackal found dead near Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
Forest officials recover carcass near Airoli Bridge; wildlife enthusiast urges motorists to drive cautiously near natural habitats
'This war is not over': Obama, Trump trade fire in midterms' closing week
Digital Desk | Washington, Oct 29 (IANS) Former US President Barack Obama and current President Donald Trump held dueling rallies in Georgia and Ohio five days before the November 3 midterm elections, with Obama attacking the Iran war and tariffs and Trump mocking his predecessor while backing Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy for the Ohio Governor. Campaigning in the Atlanta area on Wednesday for Senator Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, Obama said the President had chosen o start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for and nobody voted for, according to remarks released by his office. This is the reason why the price of oil is up. This is the reason why the price of diesel is up, the price of just about everything is up, he added. And by the way, contrary to the promises and statements and declarations that were made seven months ago, this war is not over. It's still going on, which means you are not getting any relief anytime soon. He mocked Trump's trade war with Canada. And the big trade war he's waging now is that well-known evil empire, that historical adversary of the United States, Canada, the people who gave us maple syrup and Martin Short, the nicest people around, our friendly neighbours to the North, Obama said. Now, they're booing our hockey games. He also returned to his jibe about White House renovations. They mobiliSed a whole of government response to that joke, not to inflation, but to that joke! Obama said, The Guardian reported. Obama urged Georgians to vote early before Friday's deadline. At the same time in Chillicothe, Ohio, Trump rallied for Senator Jon Husted and Ramaswamy, and hit back at Obama over the renovations. I paid for it myself. I fixed it, and now it's more beautiful and in better shape, Trump said, according to The Guardian, calling Obama someone who doesn't understand cleanliness, who doesn't understand broken, cracked stone and sidewalk. He also said of Obama's campaigning: He got involved with Hillary Clinton ... and he lost. He then got involved with Kamala and he lost. Trump attacked the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as one of the dumbest deals I've ever seen in my life. He again defended Ramaswamy's advertisement featuring the estranged mother of Democratic rival Amy Acton. The mother said that Amy Acton, the daughter, is a liar, that she's no good, that she lied about the opponent. How the hell is that his problem? he said, NBC4 and Al Jazeera reported. NBC4 noted the mother never says in the ad that Acton lied about Ramaswamy. National polls favour Democrats. An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll conducted on October 19-20 gave Democrats a 52-44 per cent lead among likely voters on the generic Congressional ballot. The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, conducted on October 24-26, put the race at 52-48 among voters and Trump's approval at 39 per cent. Several Indian-Americans are on the November 3 ballot. Besides Ramaswamy, the House's Indian-American members, including Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera, Shri Thanedar and Suhas Subramanyam, are seeking re-election. Nithya Raman is running for Mayor of Los Angeles and Saritha Komatireddy as Republican Party nominee for the New York Attorney General.
Pradeep Purnekar murder case: Aaditya Thackeray accuses Eknath Shinde of protecting conspirators
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 29 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is desperate to safeguard former Thane Mayor Meenakshi Shinde from the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar murder case. The Sena (UBT) leaders alleged that the police have merely arrested the contract killers and that until Meenakshi and Rajendra Shinde are arrested, the true conspiracy will never come out. We demand that the main accused and conspirator should be arrested at the earliest. We have no idea why she is being protectedwhen we met the police commissioner, we sensed that the policemen are convinced about who the main accused is, said Thackeray, addressing a press conference in Thane. Thackeray, along with Purnekars son Ram, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders from Thane, held a press conference after holding a meeting with the Thane police commissioner. Earlier, Thackeray visited the house of Purnekar to meet the wife of the dead leader. Thackeray said that despite giving the evidence of CCTV footage, arrests have not been made. What and why are you waiting for? Thackeray asked. This is a political murder of which CCTV footage is available. Why are the main conspirator and masterminds not being arrested? Why is Eknath Shinde so desperate to safeguard the accused and conspirator? he asked. Thackeray criticised deputy CM and Thanes guardian minister Eknath Shinde for detaining Ram Purnekar, who had gone to meet the latter demanding action in his fathers murder. We had come to Thane only to meet the Purnekar family and the police commissioner. But the local MP used abusive language and made a childish attempt to threaten us. Instead of facing us, they (Shinde-led Sena leaders) protested somewhere else and did not face us, said Thackeray. He also slammed Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis for failing to deliver justice to the Purnekar family. The Home Minister is busy breaking parties, cutting trees and selling Sahyadri mountain ranges instead of stopping all these things, he said. Targeting CM Fadnavis, Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said that Maharashtra never had such a weak home minister. I want to tell those who challenged us to come to Thane that we not only came here, but we are ready to wait till we face you. Dont boast because you are in power. It is not permanent. Meenakshi and Rajendra Shinde are the main accused in this case, and people are coming out of the streets to safeguard killers, he said, adding that police will have to arrest both of them.
Former Thane Mayor Resigns Amid Political Row
Former Thane Mayor and Shiv Sena leader Meenakshi Shinde resigned as the party's district women's wing chief on Thursday. Her resignation comes two days after she was questioned by police regarding the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar, a case that has intensified political friction and led to accusations against her and her husband.
Who Is Meenakshi Shinde? Former Thane Mayor In Spotlight Over Pradeep Purnekar's Murder
The Shiv Sena corporator was questioned by the SIT for over seven hours as the investigation into the September 29 killing of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar continues.
Meenakshi Shinde resigns as Thane Shiv Sena womens wing chief amid allegations
In a letter dated October 29, 2026, Shinde said allegations and counter-allegations circulating on social media and in political circles had caused her considerable distress. She said her name was being linked to matters with which she had no connection
Thane: Spectacled cobra spotted preying Russells viper along Ghodbunder Road
A spectacled cobra was documented feeding on an adult Russells viper at Waghbil along Ghodbunder Road in Thane West. Wildlife enthusiast Shivam Dubey of NGO WWA captured the rare encounter, highlighting ophiophagy
The protests, which continued overnight, followed allegations by Purnekars family that police had failed to act against former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra Shinde despite evidence allegedly linking them to the murder conspiracy
Purnekar Murder: Family Alleges Cover-Up, Police Deny
A month after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot dead in Thane, his family accuses the police of shielding the real culprits and ignoring evidence, despite five arrests. The killing has heightened political tensions, with protests and opposition leaders expressing solidarity, while police maintain they are conducting a comprehensive investigation to establish the motive.
Bhayandar Police Bust Racket, Two Women Rescued
Police in Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar have busted an alleged prostitution racket, rescuing two women and arresting one female agent. The accused reportedly supplied women to various locations including Mumbai, Thane, and Goa. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend a second absconding agent and identify other individuals involved.
Mumbai: Thane protests trigger 27-km traffic snarl, woman crushed by container
Slain Sena (UBT) leader supporters blockade spills over to Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, commuters stranded for hours, traffic personnel deployed to ease congestion
Kashmir Pashmina testing rises sharply as GI certification demand grows
The Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, has recorded a sharp rise in the testing of Geographical Indication (GI) products, especially Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni embroidered shawls, during the current financial year. The surge reflects stronger institutional capacity, upgraded laboratory infrastructure and growing demand for authentic GI certification and QR coding. In a detailed press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, stated that the testing rate, which was 40-45 per day in 2024-25, has now risen to 170 per day in 2026-27. In 2024-25, PTQCC conducted 13,369 tests at an average of 40-45 tests per day. This rose to 22,351 tests in 2025-26, with the daily average increasing to 75-85 tests. In the current financial year, PTQCC has already performed approximately 21,000 tests. With another 21,000 tests projected between November 2026 and March 31, 2027, the annual total is expected to reach around 42,000 tests, nearly doubling the testing rate achieved in the previous year, the spokesman explained. To support this expansion, the spokesman further stated that Pashmina Laboratory has been strengthened with advanced equipment, including a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and two High-Resolution Digital Microscopes. The Department is in the process of procuring another OFDA 2000 fibre analyser and an additional digital microscope during FY 2026-27 under CAPEX. These additions are expected to further accelerate testing, improve precision in fibre identification and quality assessment and meet the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding of certified products, he said, adding that those GI Authorised Users who submit hand-spun, hand-woven Pashmina products with Sozni embroidery are being given preferential treatment. In order to bring greater transparency in GI testing, certification and QR coding at PTQCC, the Department has developed an in-house Online Appointment Token Management System to further streamline the operations across all testing labs of the Department, including IICT and QCD (Quality Control Division). The web application has been developed by the Resource Cell of the department, which shall be operational shortly on a pilot basis, he added. The Directorate is in the process of augmenting additional manpower to operate the machines, for which technical staff is being sent to Wool Research Association (WRA), Thane, Maharashtra, for technical training. With trained manpower, we shall have more teams in place to conduct tests in PTQCC so that the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding post aggressive media campaign, by GI Authorised Users is met. The enhanced testing capacity strengthens the authentication of Kashmirs prized handicrafts, protects the interests of artisans and weavers and builds greater consumer and buyer confidence in genuine GI-tagged products, the spokesman stated. Faster and more reliable certification is particularly important for exports and premium domestic markets, where authenticity is a key differentiator for Kashmir Pashmina and related handicraft products, the spokesman concluded.
PTQCC boosts testing capacity for Kashmir handicrafts
Srinagar, Oct 28: The Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, has significantly expanded its testing capacity for Geographical Indication (GI) products, including Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni-embroidered shawls, with the daily testing rate rising from 40-45 in 2024-25 to around 170 in the current financial year. According to a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, PTQCC conducted 13,369 tests in 2024-25, which increased to 22,351 in 2025-26. The centre has already conducted approximately 21,000 tests in the current financial year, with the annual tally projected to reach around 42,000 by March 31, 2027. The increase has been attributed to strengthened laboratory infrastructure, improved testing facilities and growing demand for GI certification and QR coding of authentic handicraft products. The Pashmina laboratory has been equipped with advanced instruments, including a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and two high-resolution digital microscopes. The department is also procuring an additional OFDA 2000 fibre analyser and another digital microscope under the CAPEX budget for 2026-27 to improve testing efficiency and accuracy. The department is also developing an online appointment and token management system to bring greater transparency to GI testing, certification and QR coding. The system, developed by the department's Resource Cell, will initially be launched on a pilot basis and will cover its testing laboratories, including the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) and the Quality Control Division (QCD). To meet the growing demand, the Directorate is augmenting its technical workforce and sending staff to the Wool Research Association in Thane, Maharashtra, for specialised training in operating the testing equipment. The department is also giving preferential treatment to GI-authorised users submitting hand-spun and hand-woven Pashmina products with Sozni embroidery. The enhanced testing capacity is expected to strengthen the authentication of Kashmir's traditional handicrafts, safeguard the interests of artisans and weavers, and improve consumer confidence in genuine GI-tagged products. The department said faster and more reliable certification would also benefit exporters and manufacturers catering to premium domestic and international markets, where authenticity is a key factor in determining the value of Kashmir's renowned handicrafts.
Thane civic body cracks down on banned plastic, fines violators Rs 69,100
During the drive, the civic body inspected 214 establishments across markets and commercial areas. Officials seized 30 kg of banned plastic and collected Rs 69,100 in fines from those found violating the rules
TMC issues 6,580 notices to property tax defaulters, seals 126 properties
Thane Municipal Corporation has stepped up its property tax recovery drive, issuing notices to 6,580 property owners, initiating seizure proceedings against 286 properties, disconnecting water supply to 73 properties and sealing or restricting the use of 126 properties
Gujarat: PM Modi to lay foundation for two Bio-CNG plants with 175-tonne daily capacity
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 28 (IANS) Two new Bio-CNG plants in Gujarats Tharad and Radhanpur, which will together process 175 metric tonnes of cattle dung daily, will take the number of such facilities operated by Banas Dairy to six, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to lay their foundation stones from Bhildi in Banaskantha district on October 30. The plants, with processing capacities of 75 metric tonnes per day in Tharad and 100 metric tonnes per day in Radhanpur, are expected to boost the production of clean fuel and organic fertilisers while providing an additional source of income for animal husbandry farmers. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Legislative Assembly Speaker and Banas Dairy chairman Shankar Chaudhary will attend the event. The four existing Bio-CNG plants operated by Banas Dairy in Banaskantha collectively process around 340 metric tonnes of cattle dung daily. With the addition of the two proposed facilities, their combined processing capacity will rise to 515 metric tonnes a day. Banaskantha has an estimated livestock population of 28 lakh, including around 24 lakh animals belonging to husbandry farmers associated with Banas Dairy. These animals are estimated to generate approximately 24,000 metric tonnes of cattle dung every day, providing substantial raw material for the dairy cooperatives waste-to-energy model. Banas Dairy began producing and selling compressed biogas (CBG) in 2020 at its plant in Dama village in Deesa taluka, which can process 40 metric tonnes of cattle dung daily. Subsequently, three plants, each with a daily processing capacity of 100 metric tonnes, were established at Agthala, Bhukhla and Vinchhivadi in partnership with Suzuki Motor Corporation and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). According to the state government, the four operational plants have the capacity to produce around 6,150 kg of Bio-CNG, 83 metric tonnes of solid organic fertiliser and 260 metric tonnes of liquid organic fertiliser daily. Under the model, cattle dung is procured from animal husbandry farmers, giving them supplementary income. The Bio-CNG produced during processing is used as vehicle fuel, while the remaining slurry is converted into solid and liquid organic fertilisers and supplied to farmers under the brand name 'Bhumi Amrut'. The Bio-CNG is sold at subsidised rates compared with conventional CNG, with Banas Dairy currently selling approximately 6,100 kg daily. The expansion is also expected to increase the environmental benefits of the initiative. Cattle dung left in the open releases methane, a greenhouse gas with approximately 28 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over 100 years. By converting dung into fuel, the Bio-CNG plants help reduce methane emissions while producing an alternative energy source. According to Banas Dairys estimates, the six plants will collectively prevent between 33,400 and 34,600 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The BMC issued the warning over a possible impact on water quality following the recommissioning of a repaired reservoir at the Pise-Panjrapur water supply complex
U.S. moves to weaken methane limits on oil and gas producers
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday a sweeping rollback of rules that stop oil and gas producers from emitting methane, a greenhouse gas superpollutant.
Why Doctor Khushbu Taori Modi Quit Her Government Job For SewaConnect
Former medical officer Dr Khushbu Taori Modi launched SewaConnect to transform NGO funding through a volunteer platform after serving as a government medical officer and Thane doctor, supporting grassroots NGOs with CSR partnerships, advancing public health and social impact on a free platform built for NGO collaboration, volunteer matching, and community medicine across Maharashtra NGOs. []
PTQCC nearly doubles GI testing capacity for Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni products
Srinagar, Oct 28: The Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, has recorded a sharp rise in the testing of Geographical Indication (GI) products, especially Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni embroidered shawls, during the current financial year. The surge reflects stronger institutional capacity, upgraded laboratory infrastructure and growing demand for authentic GI certification and QR coding. In a detailed press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir stated that the testing rate which was 40-45 per day in 2024-25, has now risen to 170 per day in 2026-27. In 2024-25, PTQCC conducted 13,369 tests at an average of 40-45 tests per day. This rose to 22,351 tests in 2025-26, with the daily average increasing to 75-85 tests. In the current financial year, PTQCC has already performed approximately 21,000 tests. With another 21,000 tests projected between November 2026 and March 31, 2027, the annual total is expected to reach around 42,000 tests, nearly doubling the testing rate achieved in the previous year, the spokesman explained. To support this expansion, the spokesman further stated that Pashmina Laboratory has been strengthened with advanced equipment, including a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and two High-Resolution Digital Microscopes. The Department is in the process of procuring another OFDA 2000 fibre analyser and an additional digital microscope during FY 2026-27 under CAPEX. These additions are expected to further accelerate testing, improve precision in fibre identification and quality assessment and meet the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding of certified products, he said, adding that those GI Authorised Users who submit hand-spun, hand-woven Pashmina products with Sozni embroidery are being given preferential treatment. In order to bring greater transparency in GI testing, certification and QR coding at PTQCC, the Department has developed an in-house Online Appointment Token Management System to further streamline the operations across all testing labs of the Department including IICT and QCD (Quality Control Division). The web application has been developed by the Resource Cell of the department which shall be operational shortly on pilot basis, he added. The Directorate is in the process of augmenting additional manpower to operate the machines for which technical staff is being sent to Wool Research Association (WRA), Thane Maharashtra for technical training. With trained manpower, we shall have more teams in place to conduct tests in PTQCC so that the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding post aggressive media campaign, by GI Authorised Users is met. The enhanced testing capacity strengthens the authentication of Kashmirs prized handicrafts, protects the interests of artisans and weavers and builds greater consumer and buyer confidence in genuine GI-tagged products, the spokesman stated. Faster and more reliable certification is particularly important for exports and premium domestic markets, where authenticity is a key differentiator for Kashmir Pashmina and related handicraft products, the spokesman concluded.
Thane: Man gets 20-year jail term for sexually assaulting 5-year-old girl
The terrified child later returned home and informed about the incident to her mother, who subsequently confronted the accused before reporting the matter to the police, the prosecution said
Thane bans use of drinking water for vehicle washing at service centres
The civic body issued the directive on Wednesday, October 28, urging residents and vehicle service centres to use water carefully and avoid unnecessary wastage
Thane: TMC urges residents to boil water before consumption for a week
The advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure amid concerns that the repairs and subsequent resumption of operations could affect the quality of water supplied to parts of the Mumbai metropolitan region
Justice For Child: Thane Court Delivers 20-Year Sentence
A special POCSO court in Thane has sentenced Aakash Baburao Thorat to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl in 2019. The court relied heavily on the victim's testimony, finding it credible despite defence attempts to discredit it. The accused was also fined and the victim was awarded compensation.
Maharashtra tribals call off march to Mantralaya after CM assures action
Nearly 49,000 people set out from Bhiwandi in Thane district on Tuesday afternoon as part of the Samvidhan Hakk Sangharsh Morcha, led by Shramjeevi Sanghatna founder Vivek Pandit
Thane traffic: Protest over Sena (UBT) leaders murder leaves commuters stranded
Videos showing the agitation and long queues of vehicles circulated widely on social media. Some users claimed the blockade continued for six to seven hours. Traffic movement returned to normal by Wednesday morning, police said
Trump drastically loosens oil and gas methane rules
Mr. Trump is pushing ways of bringing down energy costs ahead of the midterms, amid voter anger over soaring oil costs caused by his war on Iran
Trump says he's ending restrictions on climate-warming emissions from oil drilling
Billings, Oct 28: President Donald Trump said Tuesday his administration is terminating a Biden-era rule that aimed to cut planet-warming emissions of methane from oil and gas drilling. Trump said during a campaign rally in Texas that the change would save consumers and energy producers USD 45 billion and unlock 210 million barrels of oil. That's equivalent to about 10 days of US petroleum consumption. The move aims to encourage more domestic drilling as Trump faces criticism over high fuel prices amid the US war in Iran. Methane is responsible for about a third of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, scientists estimate. Cuts in methane emissions have emerged in recent years as a global priority to slow the rate of climate change. Oil and gas operations are the largest industrial source of methane, which is the main component in natural gas and far more potent to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide in the short term. The invisible gas leaks from equipment and is released into the atmosphere or burned off as a waste product by oil drillers. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin previewed the changes last month, saying they would eliminate the agency's Super Emitter Program that requires companies to investigate and repair major methane releases from oil and natural gas facilities. The agency would also set less restrictive standards for small oil and gas wells. The loosening of the emissions rule comes as Trump and Republicans in Congress have been methodically dismantling climate policies enacted under former President Joe Biden. That's included the revocation of a scientific finding that was central to US action on greenhouse gas emissions, lower fuel economy standards for vehicles and a move to repeal emission restrictions for coal and natural gas power plants. Environmental groups criticized the latest rollback. They said it lets companies continue polluting the atmosphere with gas that could be captured and provide energy to millions of households. It will impose a heavier pollution burden on our front-line communities and make our energy sector less efficient, said Max Lopez, an Environmental Law & Policy Center attorney. Zeldin has said the methane rule would have cost USD 18 billion and was holding back the US energy industry. The Trump EPA is committed to fixing this so the US can reach its full energy potential, he said last month. The Biden methane rule was announced by officials including former Vice President Kamala Harris during a 2023 UN climate conference in the United Arab Emirates. Federal officials under Biden said it would prevent an estimated 58 million tons (52.6 million metric tonnes) of methane emissions by 2038 and reduce other pollutants that cause health problems. By 2034, the rule was projected to yield USD 98 billion in benefits. That figure was derived by calculating the future social costs of greenhouse gas emissions on public health and the environment, an approach rejected by Trump's EPA. While previous regulations focused only on new oil and gas wells in the US, the Biden rule regulated existing wells. Operators also would have needed to plug leaking methane from smaller wells that produce just 6% of the nation's oil and gas while accounting for up to half all methane emissions from oil and gas fields. The final rule was published in 2024. The EPA last year imposed an 18-month delay to give companies time to meet new inspection requirements and other provisions. The rule was crafted to be coordinated with a methane fee, approved in the 2022 climate law. The fee program would have levied a waste emissions charge of as much as USD 1,500 per metric ton of methane on energy producers that exceed a certain level of methane emissions. The fee marked the first time the US government directly imposed a fee, or tax, on greenhouse gas emissions. Congress repealed it weeks after Trump took office. Officials also tried to rein in methane from oil and gas under former President Barack Obama, but that effort was scaled back during Trump's first term.
Thane Traffic Chaos: Protest Over Sena Leader's Killing
Hundreds of Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters blocked Thane's Ghodbunder Road overnight, burning tyres and causing severe traffic disruption, to protest the detention of Ram Purnekar and demand arrests in connection with his father Pradeep Purnekar's murder. The protest, which stranded commuters for hours, was triggered by Ram Purnekar's attempt to march to the Deputy CM's residence, leading to political leaders joining the agitation and calls for the Deputy CM's resignation.
Trump says he's ending restrictions on climate-warming methane from oil drilling
US President Donald Trump has announced the termination of a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations, arguing that the move will save energy producers and consumers $45 billion. The rollback would ease restrictions on oil and gas companies, including requirements to detect and repair methane leaks. Environmental groups have criticised the decision, warning it could increase greenhouse gas emissions and undermine efforts to tackle climate change.
PM SHRI KV AFS Thane Teacher Recruitment 2026
PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya AFS Thane (Shift I) (PM SHRI KV AFS Thane) Recruitment 2026 for the post of Contractual Teacher will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview.
TMC Physiotherapist Recruitment 2026
Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has invited offline applications for the post of Physiotherapist. Applications can be submitted till 29 October 2026.
TMC Fitness Trainer Recruitment 2026
Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has released the notification for the post of Fitness Trainer. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications from 27 October 2026 to 29 October 2026.
TMC Team Manager Recruitment 2026
Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has released the notification for the post of Team Manager. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications till 29 October 2026.
TMC Cricket Coach Recruitment 2026
Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has published the Recruitment 2026 notification for the post of Cricket Coach. Offline applications will be accepted till 29 October 2026.
Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has released the notification for the post of Assistant Coach for Men's Cricket Team. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications from 27 October 2026 to 29 October 2026.
Mumbai water alert: BMC issues 7-day boil-and-filter advisory for THESE wards
Mumbai residents in several civic wards, along with people in parts of Thane and Bhiwandi supplied by the BMC, have been advised to boil and filter drinking water for seven days. The precaution comes as Compartment No 2 of the Yewai balancing reservoir is set to be recommissioned on October 28
Trump to roll back methane rules in latest Texas campaign push
President Donald Trump will
Thane Metro Line 4 First Phase From Gaimukh To Cadbury Junction Set To Open In December 2026
India has reiterated its call for comprehensive structural reforms within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), advocating that any new permanent members must share equal veto rights rather than creating a multi-tiered hierarchy. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, stressed that veto powers currently enjoyed exclusively by [] The post India Demands Comprehensive UN Security Council Reforms, Calls for Veto Power Expansion to All Permanent Members appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
New UNSC permanent members without veto would be 'second-class': India
India has asserted that any reform of the UN Security Council that creates a new category of permanent members without veto powers would effectively relegate them to second-class status, leaving the existing five permanent powers in control of the decision-making process. China, France, Russia, the UK and the US are the five permanent members of the 15-nation Security Council and enjoy veto powers. The Council also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, on Monday said the veto must be held by all permanent members of a reformed Council as long as the provision exists, stressing that fairness and justice demand equal rights and responsibilities for all permanent members. India's position on the veto is principled and well known... We reiterate that as long as the veto exists, it must be held by all permanent members of a reformed Council, he said. Addressing the Inter-Governmental (IGN)
Pradeep Purnekar murder: Son gives 24-hour ultimatum over murder investigation
Son of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader threatens protest outside Eknath Shindes residence if former Thane mayor, husband not arrested
Mumbai: Mid-Day staffer recount ordeal as signalling failure delay local trains
mid-day staffer Shahebaz Khan was stuck on a Central Railway train between Thane and Sion for three hours on Monday. He recounts his ordeal...
BMC garbage truck kills woman pedestrian on Thane-Belapur road; mob thrashes driver
Apple today announced the eighth-generation iPad mini , introducing a larger OLED display, a thinner and lighter design, the A20 Pro chip, and water and dust resistance, but how much does it differ from the previous model? The new iPad mini starts at $699 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model and $849 with cellular connectivity. With the prior generation now discontinued, buyers also face a choice between paying for the new features and finding a cheaper A17 Pro model. Both offer the same storage capacities, advertised battery life, Touch ID authentication, and USB-C transfer speeds, so the new model does not improve every aspect of the experience. Here are the key differences between the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip from 2024 and the iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip from 2026: iPad mini (seventh generation, 2024) iPad mini (eighth generation, 2026) 8.3-inch display 8.5-inch display Liquid Retina display with LED backlighting and IPS technology Super Retina XDR OLED display with 1-nit minimum brightness and 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio 2266-by-1488 resolution 2316-by-1512 resolution Wider display borders 24% thinner display borders 500 nits maximum brightness 600 nits maximum SDR and full-screen HDR brightness; 1,200 nits peak HDR brightness Optional nano-texture display glass on 256GB and 512GB models for an additional $100, supplied with a polishing cloth Extended external display mode with iPadOS 27.2 IP67 water and dust resistance, rated for a maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes A17 Pro chip A20 Pro chip, with CPU and Neural Engine configurations varying by storage capacity Portrait front camera Landscape front camera Center Stage front camera with /2.4 aperture Center Stage front camera with /2.0 aperture True Tone rear flash Adaptive True Tone rear flash Landscape stereo speakers with external speaker holes Acoustic Display with display-coupled woofers and concealed tweeters, without external speaker holes Third-party wireless module Apple N1 wireless networking chip Wi-Fi 6E connectivity Wi-Fi 7 connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity Bluetooth 6 connectivity Thread networking technology Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 5G modem (Cellular models only) Apple C2 5G modem; up to 50% faster cellular data speeds according to Apple (Cellular models only) U.S. cellular model (A2995) supports 5G band n76 U.S. cellular model (A3596) supports LTE band 106 UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA cellular support UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ cellular support 19.3Wh battery 18.9Wh battery Fast charging up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 35W or higher USB-C power adapter Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue Available in Midnight and Starlight Previous polyurethane Smart Folio design Redesigned two-panel TechWoven Smart Folio with adjustable viewing angles, available separately in Navy Blue and Taupe for $79 More than 25% recycled content overall 35% recycled content overall Originally started at $499 (Wi-Fi) or $649 (Wi-Fi + Cellular); Wi-Fi starting price subsequently increased to $599; now discontinued Starts at $699 (Wi-Fi) or $849 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) A17 Pro vs. A20 Pro Unlike the previous model, the new iPad mini's chip hardware now varies according to storage capacity: iPad mini (seventh generation, 2024) iPad mini (eighth generation, 2026) Chip Apple A17 Pro Apple A20 Pro Manufacturing process 3-nanometer 2-nanometer CPU 6 cores 128GB and 256GB : 5 cores 512GB : 6 cores Higher-performance CPU cores 2 performance cores 2 super cores Efficiency CPU cores 4 cores 128GB and 256GB : 3 cores 512GB : 4 cores GPU 5 cores 7 cores GPU Neural Accelerators Dedicated Neural Accelerators in each GPU core Neural Engine 16 cores on all storage configurations 128GB and 256GB : 16 cores 512GB : Dual 16-core Neural Engine, totaling 32 cores Unified memory 8GB Increased capacity, according to Apple; exact amount not yet known Unified memory bandwidth 51.2 GB/s 115.2 GB/s Apple also claims that the new model has the following maximum improvements over the previous model with the A17 Pro chip: Up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance. Up to 2.7 times faster graphics performance. Up to 4.5 times faster AI performance. Dimensions and Weight iPad mini (seventh generation, 2024) iPad mini (eighth generation, 2026) Height 7.69 inches (195.4 mm) 7.69 inches (195.3 mm) Width 5.3 inches (134.8 mm) 5.22 inches (132.6 mm) Thickness 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) 0.21 inch (5.4 mm) Weight (Wi-Fi) 0.65 pound (293 grams) 0.56 pound (255 grams) Weight (Wi-Fi + Cellular) 0.66 pound (297 grams) 0.58 pound (263 grams) The new model is approximately 14% thinner, with the Wi-Fi model approximately 13% lighter and the cellular model approximately 11% lighter. Should You Upgrade? Most A17 Pro iPad mini owners can comfortably keep their current device. The new model offers the same advertised battery life, storage capacities, Apple Pencil support, and USB-C transfer speeds. If your iPad mini still meets your needs, there is little reason to upgrade for everyday performance alone. The slightly larger display now with OLED technology may be the strongest reason to consider replacing it, particularly if you frequently use your iPad mini for watching videos or reading. The thinner and lighter design may also make a worthwhile difference if you spend long periods holding it. For users who regularly encounter distracting reflections or enjoy reading on their device, nano-texture glass could provide a more specific reason to upgrade. It does raise the cost considerably, since it requires at least 256GB of storage as well as the additional $100 display option. The landscape camera, water resistance, and fast charging are useful additions, but are highly unlikely to justify replacing a A17 Pro model on their own. An upgrade makes more sense when several of these changes address things you find limiting about your current device. Which Model Should You Buy? For most new buyers, the A20 Pro model should be the starting point. The OLED display and new design are its main advantages, and both largely matter more to the everyday experience than the chip. The A17 Pro model may still be worth considering when it offers substantial savings. It retains many of the same capabilities and remains a sensible choice for reading, browsing, taking notes, and watching videos, even if it uses the design of an older device. For the A20 Pro model, it is important to remember that the 256GB version makes nano-texture glass available, while the 512GB version adds a CPU core and a second Neural Engine. Related Roundup: iPad mini Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Coming Soon) Related Forum: iPad This article, iPad Mini 2024 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade? first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
'Who checks the power?' Ex-SC judge calls for safeguards in poll panel appointments
Justice Abhay Oka presented compelling arguments for a structured legal framework to ensure election commissioners' independence. He cited Lal Krishna Advani's collegium system as a potential method for their selection. Oka placed strong emphasis on civil discourse as a pillar of democracy and raised alarms about environmental issues fueling rising temperatures in urban areas like Thane and Mumbai. Additionally, he recommended more efficient uses for public transport funding.
Kanjurmarg signal failure hits Mumbai locals, all four lines restored
Mumbai's Central Railway suburban services encountered notable disruption on Monday following a signalling failure at Kanjurmarg. Although the signalling system was restored later, train operations between Vikhroli and Bhandup were severely affected. Adding to the turmoil, an overhead wire was discovered dangling between Mulund and Thane, forcing operators to follow special protocols for safety while managing the delayed services throughout the region.
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 26 (IANS) In a major push toward wildlife preservation and habitat protection across Maharashtra, the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Monday approved key environmental proposals during its 26th official meeting. Among the landmark decisions made, the board granted Wildlife Sanctuary status to two key forest pockets and formally approved proposals for 14 new Conservation Reserves spanning seven districts. The new Wildlife Sanctuary status has been accorded to Kolamarka Conservation Reserve (Gadchiroli district), which is widely renowned as a vital habitat for endangered Asiatic wild buffaloes (Bubalus arnee). Kolamarka has officially been upgraded to a Wildlife Sanctuary. Further, approval was granted to expand the existing Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary by incorporating 588.767 hectares of private and revenue land from six villages (Ogda, Khodde, Tirmal, Pachghar, Phansad, and Amle) to make the sanctuary human-settlement-free. Proposals for 14 new conservation reserves spread across Pune, Raigad, Nashik, Nandurbar, Thane, Palghar, and Chandrapur districts received official board clearance. These reserves include Velhe Mulshi (Pune / Raigad), Bhorgirigad (Pune), Lonavala (Pune / Raigad), Dindori (Nashik), Surgana (Nashik), Taharabad (Nashik), Chinchpada (Nandurbar), Alibaug (Raigad), Ghera Manikgad (Raigad), Gumatara (Thane), Jawhar (Palghar), Asherigad (Palghar), Dhamani (Palghar) and Ekara (Chandrapur). Further, the State Board for Wildlife declared 100.139 sq. km area in Koka Wildlife Sanctuary as Critical Wildlife Habitat and 255.79 sq. km area in Jaakwadi Bird Sanctuary as Critical Wildlife Habitat. It was also decided that maintenance, silt removal, and dam repair works inside wildlife sanctuaries must be permanently integrated into the respective Management Plans within 3 months. Wildlife officials are to be notified in advance instead of seeking fresh administrative approvals for every project. Clearances were granted for essential civic and infrastructure projects (irrigation, drinking water, roads, bridges, power transmission, medical units, and underground optical fibre cables) across protected zones, eco-sensitive areas, and tiger corridors. Discussions were held on declaring Human-Wildlife Conflict as a Natural Disaster under the Disaster Management Act, establishing quiet zones in tiger reserves (core/buffer/ESZ), and formulating relocation policies for villages in buffer zones. The CM instructed officials to evaluate staffing requirements, deputations, and vacant positions within one month to shift notified sanctuaries from Regional Forest/Forest Development Corporation Maharashtra control to the dedicated Wildlife Wing.
Maha govt formulates master water plan to safeguard Mumbai Metropolitan Regions demand
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 26 (IANS) In a major initiative to secure long-term water sustainability for Indias premier economic engine, the Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level study group to draft a comprehensive 25-year water management blueprint for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The directive, issued via a Government Resolution (GR) by the Water Resources Department, mandates the expert panel to evaluate future demand, assess available resources, identify structural shortfalls, and submit an actionable roadmap within three months. The Mumbai Metropolitan Regionspanning major municipal corporations, industrial belts, and rapidly developing semi-urban centresfaces escalating demand driven by population growth, commercial expansion, and major megaprojects. While the region currently relies on a hybrid network of state dams and civic sources, the government emphasised that fragmented management is no longer viable. The study group will conduct an integrated audit across domestic, industrial, commercial, institutional, and construction sectors to establish precise demand projections for three key horizons: 2031, 2041, and 2051. The newly formed study group is chaired by Sanjay Belsare, retired secretary of the Water Resources Department. To ensure inter-agency synchronisation across administrative jurisdictions, the panel incorporates leadership from key urban and regional authorities. The study group comprises Chief Engineer - Konkan Region (Member Secretary), Additional Commissioners from BMC & MMRDA; Commissioners of Thane, Navi Mumbai, & Kalyan-Dombivli; and representatives from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), and Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC). The study groups scope extends beyond traditional dam-building solutions, prioritising sustainable demand management and climate adaptation. The study group will review completed, ongoing, and proposed water supply projects to calculate total assured yields against projected localised shortfalls, evaluate recycled wastewater reuse, large-scale rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and the ecological revival of local water bodies, recommend strict measures to curb Non-Revenue Water (NRW), eliminate distribution leaks, and modernise metering systems and assess vulnerabilities linked to altered monsoon cycles, erratic extreme rainfall events, prolonged dry spells, and rising sea levels impacting coastal aquifers. The final report will deliver an integrated Water Security Plan 2051, detailing prioritised infrastructure projects, estimated capital expenditures, implementation timelines, funding mechanisms, and clear inter-departmental responsibilities. By laying out a clear, climate-resilient water strategy, the state aims to eliminate future supply bottlenecks and safeguard economic stability across the region for the next quarter-century.
Major Mumbai local train disruption impacts thousands
A fire in a relay room at Kanjurmarg and a foreign wire on the overhead equipment between Mulund and Thane caused significant disruptions to Mumbai's Central Railway suburban services on Monday morning. Commuters faced long delays, with trains stalled for over an hour, leading to overcrowding and passengers walking on tracks. Alternative arrangements were implemented to manage train movements, and services were eventually restored.
Thane water cut: Ghodbunder Road, Mumbra, Kalwa among affected areas
Ghodbunder Road, Mumbra, Kalwa, Lokmanya Nagar, Siddhachal, Vartak Nagar, Saket, Rustomjee and other areas to face a 24-hour water shutdown. Check the full list.
Mumbai local train disruption: Signal failures, OHE issue hit CR services
The signal failures were reported between Thane and Mulund stations and between Kanjurmarg and Bhandup stations. The disruption affected train movements on both fast and slow lines in both directions
Mumbai local train impacted: Hanging OHE wire disrupts services; office-goers face delays
Local train services in Mumbai faced disruptions during the morning rush hour on Monday due to an overhead equipment issue. A wire was found hanging, prompting delays of 15 to 20 minutes on the Central Railway's mainline. The foreign wire was detected between Mulund and Thane stations at 9.23 am. An overhead equipment block was implemented at 10 am to address the problem effectively.
Thane fire: Three meter boxes gutted in Wagle Estate building blaze
According to the Thane disaster management authorities, information about the incident was received at 3:03 am. The building, located near Jain Temple in Shrinagar, comprises a ground floor, one upper floor and a terrace room
Thane flat owners given 30 days to clear pending housing dues
Pradeep Purnekar murder case: Thane SIT likely to invoke MCOCA against accused
According to police sources, the SIT is completing the legal formalities required to invoke the stringent anti-organised crime law. Five accused have been arrested in connection with the murder
Purnekar Murder: Accused In Judicial Custody
A local court in Thane has remanded two accused, Santosh Kanojia alias Talli and Amit Singh alias Paplu, in judicial custody in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) Manpada ward chief Pradeep Purnekar. Purnekar was killed at his office on September 29, and the remand follows the conclusion of their police custody.
Aaditya Thackeray Writes to CM as Locals Oppose Proposed Thane Data Centre
He said several questions about the project in the city's Balkum area remain unanswered, including those concerning energy consumption, noise pollution, heat emissions and safety.
Quick Thinking Driver Prevents Disaster in Thane Container Fire
A container fire on Ghodbunder Road in Thane was swiftly controlled, thanks to the drivers quick actions and the fire departments response. Quick Thinking Driver Prevents Disaster in Thane Container Fire
Thane: Fire breaks out in container truck cabin on Ghodbunder Road, traffic hit
According to the incident details, the fire broke out in the cabin of a Tata container truck bearing registration number NL 01 AK 0485. The driver, Shrikrishna Tadas, was travelling from Vasai to Pune, and the container was empty at the time of the incident
Aaditya Thackeray writes to Fadnavis over AI data centre proposed in Thane
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over a proposed AI data centre in a Thane residential area. He has questioned its location, flagged concerns over power consumption, noise, heat and security, and asked why it cannot be shifted to an MIDC industrial zone
Unknown Persons Enter Thane Flat Attached In Case Against Dawood's Brother
The agency added that it lodged a complaint with Thane police (Kasarvadavali police station) on October 15 alleging unauthorised entry by trespassers.
Indian Americans in Michigan courted as Trump heads to Port Huron
Digital Desk | Washington, Oct 24 (IANS) Michigans Indian American community, the largest Asian group in a state that could decide control of Congress, is being courted by Asian American political groups in the closing days of the midterm campaign, as President Donald Trump prepares to rally supporters in Port Huron on Sunday. Trump is scheduled to speak at McMorran Place in Port Huron on Sunday, according to the White House schedule, his third rally in three days after Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday and Perry, Georgia, on Saturday. The AAPI Victory Fund, a super PAC that backs Asian American candidates and voters, held a reception at the Godfrey Hotel in Detroit on October 17 attended by Senator Elissa Slotkin and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic candidate for governor, according to The Oakland Post, Oakland Universitys student newspaper. We established a super PAC, but that was a very explicit recognition, the groups president, Linh Nguyen, told the paper. There was not enough political money thats actually backing and supporting Asian voters and then Asian candidates. Nguyen said states such as Michigan and Georgia, with large Asian American populations and a history as battlegrounds, had become increasingly important to the groups organising. We can be voting for people like Abdul El-Sayed and be proud of doing that, Nguyen said, referring to the Democratic Senate candidate. The groups Michigan endorsements include El-Sayed, Benson, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Indian American state legislator Ranjeev Puri. Indian Americans number about 138,644 in Michigan, the largest Asian ethnic group in the state, according to an AAPI Data fact sheet. The state has about 123,545 eligible Asian American voters. Michigans Indian American population is concentrated in Oakland County suburbs such as Troy, Novi, Canton and Farmington Hills, which fall in or near competitive House districts. The states only Indian American member of Congress, Democrat Shri Thanedar, represents the Detroit-based 13th District. Port Huron, in St. Clair County, lies in a Republican-leaning part of the states Thumb region. Indian American voters have leaned Democratic in recent elections, but Republicans have made gains with some immigrant communities. Both parties are competing this cycle against a backdrop of tighter H-1B visa rules and a surge in anti-Indian rhetoric online. Michigan voters will choose a governor, a US senator and all 13 House members on November 3.
Thane braces for water crisis as weekly cuts threaten 2.5 dry days
