The Times of India

Mumbai Queer Pride Month kicks off with the KASHISH Pride Film Festival on January 9th, featuring award-winning short films by emerging filmmakers. These diverse stories explore LGBTQ+ experiences, hope, and resilience. The month culminates in the Mumbai Queer Pride March on January 31st at August Kranti Maidan.

Kandivali Police have arrested two men for breaking into a Shankar temple on SV Road and stealing Rs 50,000 from the donation box. The accused, Prashant Chorat and Ali Raza Khan, were apprehended after CCTV footage revealed their movements. The duo is also suspected of a similar temple theft in Malad East.

In Ambernath, the Congress suspended its corporators and block president for aligning with the BJP-led Ambernath Vikas Aghadi to form the civic administration, sidelining the Shiv Sena. This rare local alliance between rivals occurred despite the Shiv Sena emerging as the single largest party in the municipal elections.

A citizen-led platform, Jeev Sabha, presented a humane, science-based alternative to the Supreme Court's order on stray dogs. They advocate for the 'catch-vaccinate-sterilise-release' model, emphasizing its effectiveness in reducing dog bites and rabies through a four-pronged framework, including scaled-up ABC and vaccination programs.

A 10-year-old son of two Mumbai police officers achieved national glory, securing a gold and bronze at the SGFI National Skating Championship. Om Sainath Shinde triumphed in the under-11 category despite competing in Gwalior's cold weather. His rigorous training schedule, starting at 3:30 am, and his coach's guidance are credited for his success, fueling his Olympic aspirations.

International Sufi Caravan head Mufti Manzur Ziyaee has strongly condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, calling the violence against the minority community reprehensible. He urged Bangladesh's interim administration to act against those inciting trouble, emphasizing that Islam mandates respect for all neighbours.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released Khutbat-e-Modi, a compilation of Prime Minister Modi's Red Fort addresses from 2014-2025, in Urdu. Published by NCPUL, the book aims to reach Urdu-speaking masses with the PM's vision on development and national aspirations, promoting linguistic inclusion.

She Says Have Sought UN Refugee Status; Not Recognised In India: FRRO

A fire erupted in Bandra East, Mumbai, during an election campaign, sparking outrage from actor Daisy Shah. She criticized campaigners for their recklessness, specifically the use of fireworks near residential buildings, highlighting a lack of civic sense and demanding accountability for the incident.

A female medical student in Palghar was allegedly forced to perform namaz by another student, leading to police action and the suspension of a hostel warden and teacher. The incident, believed to be ragging, triggered campus tension and protests, prompting a police investigation and heavy deployment.

A 25-year-old homemaker was arrested for allegedly slashing her relative's private parts after he refused to marry her. The incident occurred on New Year's Day in Santacruz East. The accused, who was on the run with her two sons, was apprehended in Ghaziabad.

In a surprising political maneuver, BJP and Congress have joined forces in Ambernath to oust the Shiv Sena from its stronghold. Despite Shiv Sena winning the most seats, the BJP-Congress alliance, bolstered by Ajit Pawar's NCP, has formed a majority. This unexpected coalition ahead of larger city elections has drawn sharp criticism from the Shiv Sena.

Mumbaikars experienced an enchanting moonlight kayaking session at Juhu Beach to welcome the first SuperMoon of 2026, the Wolf Moon. Participants paddled on the calm Arabian Sea as the oversized moon set at dawn, offering a unique perspective of the city's coastline.

Mumbai's education experts are advocating for a shift away from high-stakes final exams towards continuous, year-long assessments. The current marks-centric system is blamed for a student mental health crisis. Discussions at a state-level conference highlighted the need to focus on a student's learning journey and overall development, not just grades, with national reforms like PARAKH supporting this move.